CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(IMonographs) 


ICMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(monographies) 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IMicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best  originai 
copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  unique,  which  may  alter  any  of 
the  images  in  the  reproduction,  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  usual  method  of  filming  are 
checked  below. 

0   Coloured  covers  / 
Couverture  de  couleur 

□   Covers  damaged  / 
Couverture  endommag^e 

□   Covers  restored  and/or  laminated  / 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 

I         Cover  title  missing  /  Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

I I   Coloured  maps  /  Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

I      I   Coloured  inl<  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)  / 


Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations  / 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 
D 
D 


D 


D 


Bound  with  other  material  / 
Reli^  avec  d'autres  documents 

Only  edition  available  / 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion  along 
interior  margin  /  La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de 
I'ombre  ou  de  la  distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge 
int^rieure. 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restorations  may  appear 
within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have  t)een 
omitted  from  filming  /  Use  peut  que  certaines  pages 
blanches  ajout^es  lors  d'une  restauration 
apparaissent  dans  le  texte,  mais,  lorsque  cela  £tait 
possible,  ces  pages  n'ont  pas  6\6  film^es. 

Additional  comments  / 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  nneilleur  exemplaire  qu'il  lui  a 
6\6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details  de  cet  exem- 
plaire qui  sont  peut-6tre  uniques  du  point  de  vue  bibli- 
ographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier  una  image  reproduite, 
ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  modifk»tion  dans  la  m^tho- 
de  nomiale  de  filmage  sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 

I     I  Coloured  pages  /  Pages  de  couleur 

I I  Pages  damaged  /  Pages  endommag^es 


D 


Pages  restored  and/or  laminated  / 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul^es 


r~^  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed  / 
L!_l  Pages  d^colordes,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 

I     I  Pages  detached  /  Pages  d6tach6es 

I  t/f  Showthrough  /  Transparence 

I      I   Quality  of  print  varies  / 


n 


D 


Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material  / 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata  slips, 
tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to  ensure  the  best 
possible  image  /  Les  pages  totalement  ou 
partiellement  obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une 
pelure,  etc.,  ont  ^t^  film^es  k  nouveau  de  fafon  k 
obtenir  la  nrwilleure  image  possible. 

Opposing  pages  with  varying  colouration  or 
discolourations  are  filmed  twice  to  ensure  the  best 
possible  image  /  Les  pages  s'opposant  ayant  des 
colorations  variables  ou  des  decolorations  sont 
film^es  deux  fois  afin  d'obtenir  la  meilleure  image 
possible. 


Thit  Item  Is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below  / 

Ce  document  est  films  au  taux  de  reduction  Indlqu4  ci-dessous. 


lOx 

14x 

18x 

22x 

26x 

30x 

/ 

• 

12x 

16x 

20x 

24x 

28x 

32x 

Th«  copy  filmed  h«r«  Hm  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganaroaity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  grica  A  la 
gAnirosit*  da: 

Bibliotheque  nationals  du  Canada 


Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaaibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  apacificationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  fiimad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  fiimad  beginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustrated  imprae- 
sion,  and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printad 
or  illuetreted  impression. 


The  laat  recorded  frame  on  eech  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Mapa.  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  lerge  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  ara  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hend  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bonom,  as  mcny  frames  es 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  images  suivantas  ont  *ti  raproduitas  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
fi'i  la  naneti  da  I'axempleire  filmi,  et  Tt 
conformity  evec  lea  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmaga. 

Lee  exemplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  tn 
papier  eat  imprimta  sent  filmis  en  eommancant 
par  la  premier  plot  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniAre  paga  qui  comporta  une  emprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  eaa.  Toua  lea  autras  axemptairas 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiire  pege  qui  comporte  une  empralnte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darniAre  paga  qui  comporta  une  telle 
cmpreinte. 

Un  dea  symbolaa  suivants  spparaitra  sur  la 
derni*re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  salon  le 
ces:  le  symbols  — *•  signifie    A  SUIVRE ",  le 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartaa.  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  itre 
filmte  i  dee  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsqua  la  document  est  trop  grand  pour  *tra 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich*,  il  est  filmi  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droits, 
at  de  haut  en  bas,  an  prenant  le  nombrc 
d'imagas  nicessaira.  Les  diegrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m«thoda. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

MICROCOPV   RtSOlUTION   TEST  CHART 

(ANSI  ond  ISO  TEST  Ci  ART  No.  2) 


A  -APPLIED  IN/HGE    Inc 

a— -^  '653   East   Mam   Street 

E"„S  Rochester.   New   yorh         M609       USA 

'"^S  (716)   *e2  -  0300  -  Phone 

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i#^ 


Our 
Common  Birds 


BY 


D.  W.  HAMILTOy,  Ph.D.,  B.SA., 
Lecturer  in  Nature-Study  and  Elementary  Agriculture. 
Maedonald   College.   Ste.  Anne  de   Bellevue,   P.   Q. 


Chicago 


IhsfifS 


W.  O.  McINDOO 
PubUeker 
191A 


TOBOVTO 


/ 


Our 
Common  Birds 


BY 

D.  W.  HAMILTON,  PhJ>..  B^A., 

Lecturer  in  Nature-Studg  and  Elementary  Agrieidture, 

Maedoitold  College,  Sie.  Anne  de   Bellevue,   P.   Q. 


y^  I  igr 


Chicago 


W.  O 

PMi,Jker 
1M£ 


TOROKTO 


o  I 


H  iL  5 


Copyrlffht.   1916, 

In  United  statpn  of  America, 

ny 

W.  o.  MflmliM. 

Oopyrlght,  Canndii,   1015, 

ny 

W.  O.   Mclndoo. 


0  901339 


Natute  Study  Lessons 

-Br- 

G.  A.  COBNISH,  B.  A. 

Lecturer  in  SeUmee,  Faeultg  of  Eduemtiom, 
Univerritg  of  Toronto. 


Illcitbatbd 


Tkirtif-one— Bird  StvAit»—Thirtg-one 

Baied  on  the  cl«uroom  work  of  the  author — Embradng: 

BimM,  Bi»D  Food,  Biaes,  Claws,  Eoot  and  Miokatiom 

One-half  Leather.  $1.30;    Cloth,  $1.00. 

The  foUowing  extract  from  the  aathor't  introdnction  expUiaa  the 
purpoae  aod  the  scope  of  the  lesions: — 

Birds  have  always  been  the  favorite  topics  of  nature  study  work 
in  the  public  schools.  The  methods  used  hi»vc  not  always  been  above 
critidsa.  The  chief  aim  in  teaching  the  pupil  these  lessons  is  to  develop 
an  interest  in  bird  'ife.  The  only  way  to  develop  this  real  and  viUl 
interest  is  by  getting  the  pupil  to  observe  the  common  birds  in  their 
natural  habitat.  The  purpose  of  this  little  book  is  to  assist  in  this  useful 
w^.  Thirty  topics  have  been  selected  which  ccver  all  departments  of 
bird  stud>.  Those  chosen  for  treatment  are  the  oirds  that  are  easy  to 
fimi,  and  suitable  for  observations  by  school  children.  Not  only  have 
individual  birds  been  dealt  with,  but  other  topics,  suen  as  bird  food,  the 
beaks,  the  eggs  and  migration  have  been  covered.  Each  bird  selected  is 
typicd  of  a  large  number.  I  have  felt  that  it  is  much  better  to  treat 
a  souU  number  fully  than  to  give  a  smattering  of  a  large  number. 


T  o  aolfT  o 


Publithed  by 
DOMINION  BOOK  COMPANY 


PRBFAGE 

"The  robin  and  the  bluebird  piping  loud, 
FiUed  all  the  blossoming  orchards  with  their  glee; 
The  sparrows  chirped  as  if  they  still  were  proud 
Their  race  in  Holy  Writ  should  mentioned  be; 
And  hungry  crows,  assembled  in  a  crowd, 
Clamored  their  piteous  prayer  incessantly. 
Knowing  who  hears  the  raven's  cry,  and  said, 
'Give  us,  O  Lord,  this  day  our  daily  bread.' 
Whose  household  words  are  songs  in  many  keys, 
Sweeter  than  instrument  of  man  e'er  caught, 
Whose  habitations  in  the  tree-tops  even, 
Are  half-way  houses  on  the  way  to  heaven." 

"We  shall  see  more  and  more  clearly  in  time  that  when  we 
get  the  higher,  finer,  and  more  enduring  life  (to  which  all  must  grow) , 
we  shall  have  the  greatest  possible  inducement  to  give  the  trees, 
plants,  birds,  animals,  and  all  other  expressions  of  the  Infinite  their 
lives  and  their  fullest  liberty.  We  shall  be  compelled  to  love  them. 
What  we  really  love  we  cannot  abuse,  kill,  or  enslave." 


THE  NATURE  STUDENT'S  CREED. 

I  believe  in  outdoor  recreation.  I  have  a  sincere  desire  to  become 
more  and  more  acquainted  with  the  objects  of  Nature. 

The  pursuit  of  Nature  Study  should  lead  me  into  verdant  mead- 
ows, through  serene  woodlands,  or  perchance  along  an  unfrequented 
roadside,  or  to  the  bank  of  a  sparkling  stream,  where  the  various 
objects  of  Nature  are  least  disturbed — ^where  the  wild-flowers  unfold 
their  beauty— where  the  music  of  birds  charms  the  ear,  and  the  air  is 
redolent  with  the  fragrance  of  the  wild  rose,  and  the  perfumes  of  the 
forest  pines. 

I  believe  that  such  excursions,  made  with  the  purpose  of  discov- 


8  PREFACE 

ering  something  of  interest  and  importance,  will  tend  to  make  me 
more  observant,  more  appreciative,  more  thoughtful,  and  withal,  more 
happy,  and  will  enrich  my  memory,  enabling  me  to  give  fuller  expres- 
sion to  my  thoughts. 

My  interest  in  Nature  Study  is  intensified  by  a  realization  of  its 
economic  importance.  I  believe  it  is  my  duty  to  become  able  to  dis- 
tinguish the  beneficial  from  the  harmful  objects  of  Nature,  to  the 
end  that  I  may  protect  and  encourage  the  former. 

Among  the  many  objects  for  Nature  Study,  the  birds  occupy 
a  most  interesting  and  important  place.  I  believe  it  is  my  duty  to 
give  expression  to  my  sympathy  and  appreciation  f  them.  I  delight 
to  see  their  many  colored  costiunes — ^to  note  the  richness  of  the  varied 
hues  of  their  plumage.  They  are  the  open-air  musicians,  who  sing 
because  they  are  happy;  they  are  the  never-tiring  entertainers  and 
the  unpaid  helpers  of  man.  The  birds  are  the  natural  enemy  to  vast 
numbers  of  injurious  insects,  which,  unchecked,  would  multiply  so 
rapidly  that  they  would  soon  become  a  devastating  host,  a  plague, 
rendering  the  earth  unproductive  and  hence  uninhabitable. 

I  can  best  encourage  and  protect  the  birds  by  seeking  to  create 
sympathy  for  them  in  the  minds  of  the  youth,  by  bringing  their  im- 
portance to  the  attention  of  my  friends  who  might  otherwise  disturb 
them,  and  by  advocating  laws  for  their  protection.  I  can  further 
protect  and  encourage  them  by  building  bird-houses  for  their  occu- 
pancy, and  by  feeding  them  in  winter,  when  their  natural  food  is 
scarce. 

Trees  are  also  among  the  important  topics  for  Nature  Study. 
I  appreciate  the  trees,  both  on  account  of  their  beauty  and  their  value. 
I  advocate  the  conservation  of  our  inestimable  forests  and  I  am  in- 
terested to  know  the  various  trees  of  our  land,  to  be  able  to  distin- 
guish them,  and  to  know  their  value.  Without  trees,  this  beautiful 
land  would  seem  cheerless,  and  we  would  be  deprived  of  many  com- 
forts we  now  enjoy. 

The  flowers,  ninerals,  animals  and  all  other  Nature  Study  top- 
ics are  of  interest  to  me,  because  I  firmly  believe  that  frequent  ob- 
servations of  the  beauties  of  Nature  all  about  me  will  have  a  whole- 
some effect  upon  my  life. 


Toronto,  Sept.  2,  1015. 


W.  O.  McIndoo. 


Our  Gommoii  Birds 

A  light  broke  in  upon  my  soul — 
It  was  the  carol  of  a  bird; 
It  ceased — and  then  it  came  again. 
The  sweetest  song  ear  ever  heard. 

— Byron. 

Many  birds  are  found  in  every  section  of  North  America.  Most 
birds  nest  at  the  northern  limit  of  migration.  In  the  warmer  sections 
of  Canada  about  two  dozen  are  permanent  residents,  and  a  dozen  or 
more  are  winter  visitants.  The  great  majority  of  these  Canadian 
summer  residents  arrive  from  southern  United  States,  the  West  Indies, 
and  Central  America  in  spring  and  early  summer  and  leave  for  those 
warm  regions  when  cold  nights  foretell  the  approach  of  winter. 

GAME  BIRDS 

The  Ruffed  Grouse  or  Partridge  is  one  of  the  most  common 
among  the  permanent  northern  residents.  It,  and  other  related  spe- 
cies is  a  game  bird  protected  part  of  the  year  by  the  game  laws.  It 
is  a  bird  about  eighteen  inches  long  with  upper  parts  chiefly  brown, 
variegated  with  black,  gray,  and  white;  large  tufts  of  broad  glossy, 
black  feathers  on  the  neck;  and  under  parts  chiefly  white,  tinged  with 
buflF  and  barred  with  blackish  or  grayish  brown.  The  tail-feathers 
vary  from  gray  to  brown  and  are  irregularly  barred  and  mottled  witli 
black,  with  a  boad  dark  band  near  the  end.  When  the  tail  is  spread  it 
presents  a  beautiful,  fan-like  appearance.  Of  all  the  characteristics 
of  this  superb  game  bird,  its  habit  of  drumming  is  the  most  remark- 
able. The  sound  is  produced  by  the  male  bird  beating  the  air  with 
his  wings  as  he  stands  firmly  braced  on  some  favorite  low  perch.  It 
is  the  call  to  his  lady  mate  who  approaches  the  old  rendezvous,  shy, 
but  responsive.  The  same  perch  may  be  used  by  the  old  male  year 
after  year.  On  the  ground  at  the  base  of  a  stump  or  tree,  or  beneatli 
brush,  the  nest  is  made.  It  may  contain  eight  to  fourteen  pale  yel- 
lowish-brown eggs  about  one  and  one-half  inches  long  and  an  inch 
broad.    The  young  can  run  about  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched,  and 

9 


10 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


when  one  week  old  can  fly  well.  During  summer  and  autumn  the 
grouse  eats  insects,  berries,  and  seeds,  and  in  winter,  leaves  and  buds. 
To  keep  itself  warm  diu^ng  cold  nights  in  winter  it  burrows  into  a 
snow-drift  and  there  passes  the  night.  Sportsmen  delight  in  hunting 
the  ruffed  grouse,  and  its  flesh  is  much  prized  at  the  table. 

The  Canada  Grouse  or  Spruce  Partridge  is  a  conmion  inhabitant 
of  northern  coniferous  forests.  It  has  more  feathers  on  the  legs, 
but  the  toes  are  bare.  The  throat  is  black,  and  separated  from  the 
black  breast  by  a  broken  circular  band  of  black  and  white.  The  tail 
is  black,  tipped  with  brown.  Its  eggs  are  larger  than  those  of  the 
ruffed  grouse,  and  are  more  or  less  speckled  or  spotted  with  deep 
brown. 

Bob-White  belongs  to  the  Grouse  family.  He  is  only  about  ten 
inches  long.  The  male  in  winter  has  upper  parts  varying  froi/\  red- 
dish-brown to  chestnut ;  a  black  band  on  the  upper  breast ;  the  throat 
and  a  broad  line  from  the  bill  over  the  eye  white;  the  lower  breast 
and  belly  white  barred  with  black,  and  an  ashy-giay  tail.  On  the 
ground  in  grassy  fields,  the  female  lays  ten  to  eighteen  white  eggs 
about  one  inch  broad.  It  is  found  only  in  the  warmer  sections  of  east- 
em  Canada,  but  is  more  common  in  the  United  States. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 
BIRDS  OF  PREY. 


11 


HawkSt  OtoU,  and  Eagles  are  large  birds  of  prey.  The  former 
make  raids  upon  the  poultry  yard,  and  always  prefer  feathered  game 
to  any  other. 

The  Sharp^hinned  Hawk  and  Cooper^s  Hawk  are  those  which 
often  attack  poultry.  They  are  both  small  but  possess  great  bold- 
ness and  dexterity.  The  former  is  about  one  foot  long  with  upper 
parts  slaty-gray;  primaries  barred  v/ith  blackish;  white  tluroat 
streaked  with  black;  under  parts  barred  with  white  and  buff,  and  an 
ashy-gray,  nearly  square  tail  with  blackish  cross-bars  and  whitish  tip. 

Cooper's  Hawk  is  very  similar  but  larger,  and  with  the  crown 
blackish.  They  build  msts  in  trees,  fifteen  to  fifty  feet  above  the 
ground,  and  lay  throe  to  six  bluish-white  eggs  about  two  inches  hng. 
Because  of  its  'arger  size  Cooper's  Hawk  is  more  destructive  to 
poultry.  They  are  fearless,  daring,  aggressive;  and  watching  their 
prej  from  a  lookout,  then  flying  swiftly  and  low,  they  make  a  sudden 
dash  at  the  frightened  animal,  and  grasp  it  in  their  talons.  They  are 
often  called  "hen  hawk?"  and  "chicken  hawks. ' 

The  Red-tailed  Hawk,  and  the  Red-shouldered  Hawk  also  have 
the  latter  names  applied  to  them.  Both  of  these  like  chickens.  The 
former  is  about  tv^renty  inches  long  with  upper  parts  brownish;  upper 
breast  heavily  streaked  with  grayish-brown ;  the  upper  belly  streaked, 
spotted  or  bar*«d  with  black,  forming  a  kind  of  broken  band  across  the 
belly;  the  lower  belly  generally  white;  the  tail  rich  brown,  with  a  nar- 
row black  band  near  its  end,  and  a  white  tip.  The  Red-shouldered 
Hawk  is  about  the  same  size,  with  conspicuous  reddish-brown  "shoul- 
der" patches,  and  a  blackish  tail  with  four  or  five  white  cross-bars  and 
a  white  tip.  Both  are  common  species,  but  give  little  trouble  to  the 
fanner,  though  unjustly  blamed  for  the  sins  of  their  bird-killing  rela- 
tions. They  Live  chiefly  on  mice,  moles,  frogs  and  insects.  The  hawks 
already  described  are  permanent  residents  in  most  parts  of  Canada 
and  t     United  States. 

'.  American  Goshawk  is  a  bird  of  northern  regions,  winter- 
ing as  far  south  as  Virginia.  This  is  one  of  the  most  daring  of 
all  hawks,  and  will  dart  down  suddenly  and  carry  off  a  chicken 
which  may  be  only  a  few  feet  from  a  person.  It  is  nearly  two  feet 
long,  with  upper  parts  bluish-slate  color,  a  blackish  head,  and  the 
breast  and  belly  barred  pale-slate  and  white,  with  sharp  black 
stresJcs.    It  nests  in  trees,  and  lays  two  to  five  white  eggs  faintly 


12  OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 

marked  with  pale  brownish.  This  liawk  is  so  large  and  powerful 
that  it  is  quite  capable  of  killing  and  carrying  off  a  fuU-grown  hen. 
The  Marsh  Hawk  is  often  seen  gracefully  skimmuig  over  the  low 
meadows,  or  occasionaUy  hanging  poised  over  one  spot  for  a  second 
<»r  two  and  then  Jru-Diig  down  into  the  long  grass.  This  drop 
may  mean  the  death  of  a  mouse  or  a  frog.  It  seldom  attacks  a 
domestic  fowl,  but  destroys  an  enormous  number  of  field  mice  each 
xe&T.  The  male  has  gray  or  ashy  upper  parts,  suvery-gray  .ail. 
irregukvly  barred  with  black,  and  lower  breast  and  beUy  white  with 
t)ar?or  siits  of  rufous.     It  la>    four  to  six  duUish-white  eggs  on  the 

i^round  in  marshes.  .  .  .  i.»„u„ 

The  Broad'tdnged  Hawk  is  the  most  unsuspicious  of  all  hawks, 
and  is  chiefly  distinguished  from  other  species  by  the  three    notched 
primari...  and  its  smaller  size.    It  breeds  throughout  eastern  North 
America.    During  early  summer  it  may  be  seen  for  hours  sitting  on 
the  dead  top  of  some  high  tree.    It  feeds  chiefly  on  mice,  reptiles  and 

'"^The  A  merican  Rough-legged  Hawk,  a  large  species  characterized 
by  feathered  tarsi,  and  heavily  marked  under  parts,  breeds  in  Canada 
and  winters  in  the  United  States.  It  is  somewhat  nocturnal  in  habits, 
and  may  be  seen  in  the  fading  twilight  watchmg  from  some  low  perch 
or  beating  with  measured,  noiseless  flight  over  its  huntmg  g-iund. 
Its  flight  is  seldom  rapid,  and  often  appears  labored. 

The  Pigeon  Hawk  has  slaty-blue  upper  parts,  a  rusty  collar  on 
the  neck,  three  or  four  distinct  grayish-white  bars  on  the  tail,  and 
under  parts  of  cream-buff  or  yellow  streaked  with  black  except  on  the 
throat.     It  nests  in  trees  or  on  chffs,  and  lives  chiefly  on  small  birds. 

The  American  Sparrow  Hawk  is  less  than  one  foot  long,  with  a 
brownish  back  more  or  less  barred  with  black,  slaty-blue  head,  under 
parts  chiefly  cream-buff,  and  belly  and  sides  spotted  with  black.  It 
breeds  as  far  north  as  Hudson  Bay  and  winters  in  the  southern  States. 
Its  call  is  a  high,  quickly  repeated  "kiUy-kiUy-killy-killy ;  and,  as  the 
name  suggests,  it  lives  on  small  bird,  mammals  and  msects. 

Tie  Fish  Hawk  or  American  Osprey  is  a  common  species.  It 
has  upper  parts,  head  and  nape  bro\vnish,  varied  with  white,  and 
whit(  under  parts.  This  species  lives  in  colonies  or  m  pairs,  along 
the  coasts,  and  returns  year  after  year  to  the  saro-  nesting  ground. 
Its  note  is  a  high,  rapidly  repeated,  plaintive  whistle.  It  is  a  good 
fisher     Winging  its  way  slowly  over  the  water,  it  keeps  a  close 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


t$ 


watch  for  fish.  When  one  is  observed,  it  hovers  for  a  moment,  then 
descends  with  rapid  spe»l  and  directness,  strikes  the  water  with 
great  force,  making  a  loud  splash,  frequently  disappears  for  a  mo- 
ment, then  rises  with  its  prey  grasped  in  its  powerful  talons,  and 
flies  to  a  favorite  perch. 

The  Golden  Eagle  is  of  rare  occurrence  east  of  the  Mississippi, 
but  the  Bald  Eagle  breeds  throughout  North  America.  Its  head, 
neck,  and  tail  are  white,  and  the  rest  of  the  plumage  brownish.  They 
live  chiefly  near  water  and  subsist  principally  on  fish.  The  nest  is 
found  in  tall  trees,  and  contains  two  or  three  dullish-white  eggs  nearly 
three  inches  long. 

Owls  are  found  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  about  twenty  species 
inhabit  North  America.  They  are  chiefly  woodland  birds,  while  some 
make  their  home  in  towers  or  outbuildings.  Owls  are  birds  of  prey, 
and  I  irds  of  the  night,  living  chiefly  on  small  mammals.  They  have 
weird,  human  voices,  and  are  usually  regarded  with  superstitious 
fear.  Their  eggs  are  uniformly  white  and  unmarked.  Only  a  few 
most  common  species  will  be  described. 

The  Long-eared  Owl  has  conspicuous  ear-tufts  en  inch  or 
more  in  length,  upper  parts  brownish  mottled  with  white,  a  tail 
with  six  or  eight  cross-bars,  and  sides  and  belly  irregularly  barred 
with  brown.  It  spends  the  day  in  the  shade  of  evergreens.  "Like 
other  owls,  its  flight  is  slow  and  wavering,  but  in  common  with  them 
it  is  buoyant  and  devoid  of  any  appearance  of  heaviness.  The  note 
IS  said  by  some  to  resemble  the  noise  made  by  kittens,  while  others 
state  it  is  like  the  barking  of  small  dogs." 

Th«  Barred  or  Hoot  Owl  has  no  ear-tufts.  The  upper  parts  are 
grayish-brown,  the  under  parts  white,  the  breast  barred,  and  the  sides 
and  belly  broadly  streaked  with  fuscous.  The  deep-toned,  question- 
ing voice,  the  absence  of  "horns,"  and  the  dark-brown,  nearly  black 
eyes,  combine  to  make  barred  owls  appear  strangely  human.  Their 
usual  call  is  a  sonorous  "whoo-whoo-whoo"  uttered  during  the  first 
part  of  the  night  and  again  before  sunrise,  or  on  moonlight  nights 
throughout  the  night. 

The  SaW'Whet  Owl  is  only  about  eight  inches  long.  Its  upper 
parts  are  cinnamon-brown,  the  back  spotted  with  white,  the  tail 
marked  with  three  or  four  imperfect  white  bars;  the  under  parts  white, 
heavily  streaked  with  cinnamon-brown,  and  the  legs  and  feet  feathered 


,^  OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 

and  bu£fy.white.  It  nests  in  a  hole  in  a  tree.  P^«,^y^^!!T, 
quents  irk  woods,  a^d  sleeps  so  soundly  that  often  it  may  be  cap- 
tured alive.  X  #i      u 

The  Screech  Owl  is  known  by  its  small  size  »nd  ear-tufts  when 
seen-  and  when  night  comes,  by  its  tremulous,  waiUng  whistle—a 
weTrd  meSly  ?aU  welcomed  by  few.  It  f  requent  y  makes  is 
home  n^r  dwellings,  and  may  nest  in  them.  Its  favorite  retreat  is 
aHld Tpplt  oS  where  tL  hollow  limbs  offer  it  refuge  by  day 
from  smafier  birds  which  may  attack  it. 

The  Great  Horned  Owl  is  nearly  two  feet  long  and  has  con- 
spicuou^  elr-tufts  nearly  two  inches  long.  The  upper  parts  jre 
I^^Ah  varying  shalies  of  buff  and  ^ack;  there  «  a  whte  ^^^^^ 
on  the  throat,  and  the  under  parts  are  a  yellow-buff  barred  with 
WacV  The  legs  and  feet  are  feathered,  and  the  eyes  are  yellow. 
TWs  'owl  is  cSmmon  in  wild,  unsettled,  wooded  regions,  and  is 
ver^  ?Jnd  of^Ss.  I.s  call  is  a  loud,  piercing,  blood^urdlmg 
scream. 

The  Snowy  Owl  is  a  bird  of  cold,  northern  regions,  but  may 
wander  souttwiid  in  winter.  It  is  large,  without  ear-tufts  and  white 
in  color  with  bars  of  grayish-brown.  The  legs  and  feet  are  heavil> 
f eatt^er^r^d  the  ey?s  are  yellow.  Its  flight  is  firm,  smooth,  and 
noIsS  Tt  is  diurnal  in  its  habits,  and  is  most  active  durmg  the 
early  morning  and  again  before  dusk. 

The  Hawk  Owl  is  also  diurnal  in  habits,  and  its  flight  is  swift 
and  hawklike.  It  breeds  in  northern  regions  and  comes  south  j" 
w"nte^  The  size  is  medium;  the  upper  parts  »^«y^«5-^'.^j:^*;*^^^^J 
and  neck  spotted  with  white;  the  under  parts  barred  with  brown  and 
white,  and  the  tail  long  and  rounded. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


18 


COLOR  KEY  TO  THE  WOODPECKERS 
lA.     No  red  on  the  head  or  nape. 

IB.     Under  parts  black,  without  streaks  or  spots. 

IC.     Outer  tail-feathers  barred  with  black— 1.     Downg  Woodpteher  (F) 
SC.     Outer  Uil-feathers  white,   without   black   bars— 2.     Hmry    Wood- 
pecker  (F) 

SB.     Under  parts  with  black  spots,  bars,  or  streaks. 

IC.     Back  entirely  black — 8.    Arctu  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 
SC.     Back  black  and  white. 

ID.    Outer  tail-feathers  entirely  white;  crown  yellow  or  spotted 

with  white— 4.    American  Three-toed  Woodpecker  (F) 
SD.     Outer  tail-feathers  black,   with   generally   a   narrow   white 

margin;  rump  white — 5.     Red-headed  F,'oodpecker  (F) 
8D.     Outer  tail-feathers  black  and  white;  a  large  black  patch  on 
the  breast— 6.     YelUm-bellied  Saptucker  (F) 

'SA.     Whole  top  of  head  red. 
IB.     Throat  red. 

IC.     Belly  yellowish;  end  wing-fcfthers  spotted  with  white — 6.     Yel- 
low-bellied Saptucker  (M) 
2C.     Belly  and  rump  white;  end  wing-feathers  black — 5.    Red-headed 
Woodpecker  (M) 
fiB.     Throat  white. 

IC.     Breast  and  belly  black— 7.    Pileated  Woodpecker  (M) 

SC.     Breast  black  or  blackish;  sides  streaked;  belly  yellowish-white — 

6.     Yellow-bellied  Saptucker  (F) 
8C.     Under  parts  tinged  with  red,  without  streaks  or  spots — 8.     Red- 
bellied  Woodpecker  (M) 

SA.    Crown  black,  brown,  or  gray,  with  a  red  band  across  the  nape,  and  a  red 
crest  on  the  back  of  the  head. 

IB.     Under  parts  black;  bill  blackish— 7.     Pileated  Woodpecker  (F) 
SB.     Under  parts  more  or  less  spotted  and  streak^  ^  with  black ;  a  black  patch 
on  the  breast;  throat  brown;  rump  white — 1».     Flicker  (M  or  F) 
NOTE:— F— Female;    M— Malt. 


16 


OVR    COMMON    BIRDS 

THE  BIRD  WITH  A  CHISEL  BEAK. 


Woodpeckers,  of  several  species,  are  common  both  in  Canada 
and  the  United  States.  As  a  rule  they  are  solitary,  and  they  are  the 
best  climbers  among  all  birds.  Two  toes  of  each  foot  are  directe<l 
forward  and  two  backward,  except  in  one  group;  and  this  structure 
of  the  feet,  together  with  the  pointed,  stiffened  tail-feathers,  assists 
them  in  clinging  to  upright  surfaces.  The  bill  is  stout  and  chisel- 
like, and  is  used  to  cut  away  wood  and  reach  grubs  which  are  drawn 
out  of  their  hiding  places  by  the  long  tongue  with  its  horny  tip. 
Woodpeckers  nest  in  hoUowed-out  places  in  dead  trees,  and  lay 
white  eggs. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  a  most  common  species.  It  is  about 
ten  inches  long,  with  black  upper  parts,  white  under  parts,  wings 
spotted  with  white,  and  a  white  stripe  above  and  another  below  the  eye. 
The  adult  male  has  a  scarlet  patch  on  the  back  of  the  neck. 

The  Doteny  Woodpecker  is  very  similar  in  color  and  markings 
except  that  in  the  latter  the  outer  tail-feathers  are  white  barred  with 
black,  and  in  the  former  they  are  white  without  bars.  The  Downy 
is  shorter  and  the  feathers  more  downy  and  fluflfy.  This  is  the  small- 
est and  the  best  known  of  all  our  woodpeckers.  He  visits  the  orchard 
and  shade  trees,  and  tells  of  his  presence  by  the  tap,  tap,  tap,  on  the 
trees  as  he  patiently  digs  out  grubs  and  larvae.  The  valuable  work 
done  by  these  birds  for  the  protection  of  our  trees  should  commend 
them  to  every  nurseryman.  The  toughest  cocoon  ever  spun  by  a 
caterpillar  is  no  protection  against  the  sharp  beaks  of  these  birds. 
The  food  of  both  sexes  consists  almost  entirely  of  insects,  with  the 
seeds  of  the  hemlock  or  the  berries  of  the  sumach  for  dessert. 

The  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  with  the  head,  neck  and  upper 
breast  deep  red,  the  lower  breast  and  belly  white,  and  the  upper  parts 
and  the  tail  black  except  the  white  rump  and  white  patches  on  the 
wings,  is  the  most  beautiful  bird  of  this  family.  The  Downy  and  the 
Hairy  are  winter  residents,  as  far  north  as  central  Canada,  but  the 
Red-headed  is  only  a  visitant  in  northern  regions,  and  migrates 
southward  in  the  autumn.  They  are  noisy,  active  birds;  and  their 
brilliant  plumage  and  loud,  rolling  call  make  them  conspicuous.  In 
early  spring  they  feed  on  insects,  which  they  catch  on  the  wing;  but 
after  the  small  fruits  ripen  their  tastes  change,  and  they  visit  the 
strawberry  and  raspberry  patches. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


IT 


The  Golden-winged  Woodpecker  has  more  colors  ai  d  more  names 
than  any  other  bird.  A  few  of  its  forty  names  are  /  Ucker,  High- 
hole,  and  Yellovo-hammer;  and  these  names  are  the  re'  ctions  of  its 
habits,  notes  and  colors.  The  top  of  the  head  is  a  8k^  grajr;  across 
the  neck  is  a  bright  scarlet  band;  upper  parts  are  b.  ownish-gray, 
barred  with  black;  the  sides  of  the  head,  throat  and  upper  breast  arj 
yellowish-brown;  a  broad  black  stripe  on  either  side  of  the  throat 
runs  backward  from  the  base  of  the  bill;  a  broad  bkck  cr  scent  spans 
the  breast;  the  under  parts  are  white  tinged  with  yell,  w,  and  the 
tail  is  black  above,  and  yellow  tipped  with  bkck  be'ow.  The  Flicker  is  a 
bird  of  character  and  does  not  always  fo"ow  the  hj  ')its  of  the  family. 
It  does  less  woodpecking  than  any  other  of  its  class,  and  i«  really  ii 
ground  feeder,  living  chiefly  on  grasshoppers  -^  other  r^ound  in- 
sects. 


pecker.   The  adult 

rthite  wi^  fpoverts 

k.  taii    brea*    black 

llowi&li  with  white 

?ker,  and  prefers 


The  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker  is  another 
ma*  2  has  a  crimson  crown  and  chin,  black  » 
and  back,  wings  black  with  a  large  white  bat 
edged  with  yellowish  and  the  imder  parts  du 

sides  streaked  with  black.  It  is  a  small  w.  ^  ?Ker,  ana  preicTs 
sap  to  insects  In  spring  when  the  sap  is  risi«>g  it  bores  anall  Iwles 
in  the  bark  of  various  trees,  and  sucks  the  sa  »  whic^  flows  from  tlw 
holes.  Apart  from  this  habit,  which  results  in  mak  g  mxg  trtos 
somewhat  unsightly,  the  bird  has  an  excellent  recot  t  It  devours 
great  numbers  of  ants,  beetles,  and  moths  whi<*  it  obtawis  cAiefly  f  rom 
rotten  wood.  It  is  a  summer  resident  onl\  iii  C»Ha(to.  »p  I  winters 
in  itie  United  States. 

The    Pileated    Woodpecker,    knov       as    '^  ^ck    of    the 

Woods,"  is  about  seventeen  inches  loiig,  and  is  t  largest  of  our 
woodpeckers.     The  male  has  a  scarlet  crown  j  ''I  and  a  red 

mark  extending  back  from  the  bill.  The  upper  au  der  parts  are 
brownish-black,  and  a  broad  white  stripe  extends  tf%.u  the  bill  back- 
wards, on  either  side,  to  the  wings.  This  bird  is  c^wimon  only  in  the 
wilder  parts  of  the  country.  Its  flight  is  rathci  slow,  and  when 
under  way  the  markings  of  the  wings  show  plainly. 

The  Arctic  Three-toed  and  the  American  Thrce-toi  J.  as  the 
names  suggest,  have  only  three  toes  on  each  foot,  two  in  front  a?i(I 
one  behind.  They  are  restless,  active  birds  of  northern  regions, 
spending  their  time  generally  in  the  topmost  branches  of  trees. 


It 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 
TREE  INSPECTORS 


The  Nutiiatchea  are  closely  related  to  the  woodpeckers.  Two 
species,  the  White-breasted  and  the  Red-breasted,  are  northern  resi- 
dent species  frequently  seen  around  cultivated  lands  in  the  winter. 
They  are  active  insect  destroyers,  picking  their  food  from  bark,  twip 
and  leaves;  and  are  of  great  value  to  the  fruit-grower  because  of  the 
immense  quantities  of  insect  eggs  and  larvae  which  they  destroy.  Their 
call  is  a  nasal  "yank-yank"  and  a  repeated  "ya-ya,"  all  in  the  same 
tone. 

The  White-hreoMted  Nuthatch  is  about  six  inches  long,  with  a 
bluish-black  crown,  slate  upper  parts,  white  under  parts,  and  a  short 
Uil. 

The  Red^reoited  has  the  top  of  the  head  and  a  wide  stripe 
through  the  eye,  shining  black,  a  white  line  over  the  eye,  the  upper 
parts  bluish-gray,  the  throat  white,  and  the  under  parts  reddish- 
brown.  Few  birds  are  more  easily  identified.  As  they  run  up  and 
down  trees  they  assume  attitudes  which  no  other  birds  attempt;  and 
in  their  inverted  pr,sit?ons  they  giv^  occasional  utterance  to  the  loud, 
nasal  "yank." 

Chickadees  are  permanent  residents  of  Canada  and  northern 
United  States  and  are  also  insect-eating  birds.  They  closely  inspect 
the  bark  of  trees  for  insect  eggs  and  larvae.  The  Carolina  Chickadee 
is  found  in  southern  Unite''  States.  It  is  distinguishable  by  having 
no  white  edges  to  the  winj  feather. 

"Were  it  not  for  me, 
Said  a  chickadee, 

Not  a  single  flower  on  earth  would  be; 
For  under  the  ground  they  soundly  sleep, 
And  never  venture  an  upward  peep. 
Till  they  hear  from  me. 
Chickadee  dec-^ee." 

The  Black-capped  Chickadee  is  a  swiall,  fluffy  bird  with  top  of 
head,  nape  and  throat,  shining  black,  the  sides  of  the  head  and  neck 
white,  the  back  ashy,  the  breast  white,  with  belly  and  sides  washed 
with  cream-buff.  It  builds  a  nest  of  moss,  grass  and  feathers  in  old 
stumps,  and  lays  five  to  eight  small  white  eggs,  spotted  and  speckled 
at  the  larger  end  with  brown. 


OUR    COMrON    BIRDS 


10 


The  Hudtonian  Chickadee  has  a  dull,  dark,  'rownish-gray  crown. 
No  bird  speaks  its  name  so  plainly  as  a  chickadee  and  no  bird  has 
more  friends  because  he  is  sociable  with  all.  In  an  unconcerned  way 
he  hops  from  limb  to  limb,  whistling  softly  the  while,  picking  an  insect 
egg  rrom  this  crevice  in  the  bark  and  a  larva  from  another,  all  the 
time  performing  acrobatic  feats.  After  satisfying  his  appetite,  he 
looks  at  uo  onlooker  with  his  sparkling  black  eyes,  speaks  to  him  m 
liquid  gurgles,  and  then  flies  away  to  the  woods.  They  become  so 
tame  in  winter  time  that  they  come  about  the  house  for  food,  and 
may  be  induced  to  perch  on  the  hand. 

The  Brown  Creeper  is  another  small  bird  which,  like  the  chicka- 
dee,  searches  for  insects,  eggs,  and  larvae  which  are  hidden  in  crevices 
of  bark.  He  starts  at  the  bottom  of  the  trunk  and  winds  his  way 
upward  in  a  nearsighted  manner.  Having  reached  the  top  of  his 
spiral  staircase  he  suddenly  drops  to  the  base  of  another  tree  and 
resiunes  his  task.  The  upper  parts  are  mixed  brown  and  whi*",  the 
rump  pale  brown,  the  tail  grayish-brown,  with  feathers  stiffened  and 
pointed,  and  the  under  parts  white.  It  builds  its  nest  in  the  loose 
bark  of  a  tree  and  lays  five  to  eight  spotted  and  speckled  eggs. 

"Although  I'm  a  bird.  I  give  you  my  word 
That  seldom  you'll  know  me  to  fly; 
For  I  have  a  notion  about  locomotion. 
The  little  Brown  Creeper  am  I. 
Dear  little  Brown  Creeper  am  I. 

"Beginning  below.  I  search  as  I  go 
The  trunk  and  the  limbs  of  a  tree. 
For  a  fly  or  a  slug,  a  beetle  or  bug; 
They're  better  than  candy  for  me. 
Far  better  than  candy  for  me." 

THE  TANAGER. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager  is  the  Bird  of  Paradise  in  the  northern  re- 
gions of  North  America.  The  male  is  bright  scarlet,  with  black  wings 
and  tail.  Unfortunately  it  is  not  common  as  far  north  as  Canada,  but 
occasionally  breeds  in  the  warmer  sections.  Its  song  is  a  loud,  cheery 
carol,  suggesting  the  song  of  the  robin.  These  beautiful  birds  are 
found  in  open  woods,  parks  or  orchards.  They  live  f  seeds,  berries 
and  insects. 


80 


11 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 
THE  WILY  BIRD 


A  Crow  can  speak  for  Iiimself ,  and  is  well  known  to  Canadian 
and  American  children.  He  is  about  twenty  inches  long,  and  black 
all  over.  The  farmer  is  well  acquainted  with  his  corn-pulling  habit, 
from  which  even  the  "scare-crow"  does  not  frighten  him.  Sometimes 
he  is  guilty  of  destroying  the  eggs  and  young  of  small  birds.  On 
the  other  hand  he  does  much  good  by  destroying  injurious  insects, 
mice  and  other  rodents,  and  is  valuable  occasionally  as  a  scaven- 
ger. He  seems  to  rejoice  in  beirg  an  outlaw.  He  knows  no  fear 
and  laughs  at  attempts  to  entrap  him.  For  many  years  man  has 
been  his  sworn  enemy,  yet  he  has  held  his  own.  That  Crows  have  a 
language  of  their  own  no  one  who  has  listened  to  them  will  doubt,  but 
who  car  translate  it?  In  winter,  along  sea-coasts,  they  roost  in 
colonies  of  hundreds  and  thousands.  Early  in  the  morning  they  start 
on  the  day's  foraging,  and  late  in  the  afternoon  return  to  some  point 
near  the  roost,  where  they  wait  the  return  of  the  last  straggler.  Then 
at  a  given  signal,  they  all  rise  and  retire  for  the  night. 

j^ote. — In  studying  the  Crow,  the  following  outline  from  "Na- 
ture Study  Lessons,"  by  G.  A.  Cornish,  B.  A.,  Lecturer  in  Science, 
Faculty  of  Education,  University  of  Toronto,  will  be  found  sug- 
gestive ; 

Lesson  1. — The  Wise  Old  Crow 

1.  Introduction 

2.  Form,  Size,  and  Color 

3.  Locomotion  and  Song 

■I.  Food  and  Economic  Importance 

The  Crow  (Poem) 

Lesson  2.— The  Crow — His  Nest  and  His  Winter  Hoin 

1.  Nesting  Habits 

2.  Migration  and  General  Habits 
S.  The  Crow's  Relations 

Starling  Family 

In  "Nature  Study  Lessons,"  a  splendid  little  book  for  use  of 
teachers,  complete  answers  to  the  above  outline  may  be  found,  as  well 
as  80  additional  lessons,  each  complete.    Illustrated.    Publishers. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS  «1 

FRIENDLESS  BIRDS 

"O  Blackhirdt  sing  me  something  well; 
While  all  the  neighbors  shoot  thee  round, 
I  keep  smooth  plats  of  fruitful  ground 
Where  thou  may'st  warble,  eat,  and  dwell." 

Blackbirds  are  closely  related  to  crows  but  are  much  smaller. 
They  walk,  while  most  birds  hop.    The  crow  both  walks  and  hops. 

The  Bronzed  Grackle  or  Crow  Blackbird  breeds  as  far  north  as 
Labrador,  and  winters  in  the  lower  Mississippi  valley.  It  is  about  six 
inches  long,  and  black  all  over.  About  the  neck,  throat,  and  upper 
breast  the  male  is  a  brilliant  metallic-purple  to  bluish-green. 

The  Rusty  Blackbird  is  smaller,  and  the  plumage  of  the  male  is 
a  imiform  glossy,  bluish-black.  The  female  is  slate-color  in  spring, 
and  rusty-brown  in  autumn  and  winter. 

The  Bed-winged  Blackbird  is  distinguishable  by  the  patch 
of  red  and  cream  on  the  shoulders  in  the  male.  The  female  is 
smaller,  grayish-brown,  and  heavily  streaked  with  dark  brown 
or  black.  Blackbirds  are  not  liked  by  the  farmer.  Little  can 
be  said  in  their  favor,  except  that  at  times  they  eat  a  large 
number  of  cut-worms.  They  are  early  migrants,  arriving  in 
Canada  in  March  and  resorting  at  once  to  their  nesting  places  in 
.swamps  or  woods.  Early  in  the  season  they  live  on  insects,  but  as 
soon  as  grain  is  sown  they  visit  the  sown  fields  and  help  themselves 
liberally,  varying  their  diet  by  robbing  the  nests  of  smaller  birds 
and  taking  as  many  eggs  and  young  as  they  can.  When  strawberries, 
raspberries,  and  cherries  are  ripe  they  display  a  fondness  for  fruit, 
much  to  the  exasperation  of  the  fruit-grower. 

The  Coxcbird's  habits  are  interesting.  This  is  a  small  bird, 
about  eight  inches  long,  with  head,  neck  and  breast  coffee-brown,  and 
the  rest  of  the  plumage,  in  the  male,  glossy  black.  They  are  acknowl- 
edged villains.  They  are  the  only  birds  that  neither  make  a  nest 
of  their  own  nor  care  for  their  young.  When  a  smaller  bird,  a 
sparrow,  a  warbler,  or  a  vireo,  is  absent  from  her  nest,  the  cowbird 
slyly  deposits  her  egg  in  the  nest.  The  illgotten  offspring  is  boin 
with  the  cowbird  character  fully  developed.  It  is  strong  and  glut- 
tonous and  gets  most  of  the  food  which  the  foster-parents  bring,  and 
grows  rapidly.    The  rightful  occupants  of  the  nest  are  starved  out 


ss 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDU 


or  crowded  out  of  the  nest  before  they  mature.  Cowbirds  have  no 
song.  They  are  much  given  to  following  cattle  in  the  pasture,  clus- 
tering about  their  feet  and  feeding  on  the  insects  found  there — ^hence 
the  name,  cowbird. 

BIRDS  WHICH  DISDAIN  BAD  FAMILY  TRAITS 

The  Orioles  and  the  Meadowlarks  are  relatives  of  blackbirds 
and  the  cowbird,  but  differ  markedly  in  habits.  In  walking  through 
grassy  fields,  meadows  or  marshes,  we  sometimes  flush  rather  large, 
brownish  birds,  which,  alternately  flapping  and  sailing  fly 
awav  —  this  is  the  Meadowlark.  The  white  outer  tail-feathers 
show  plainly,  whether  the  bird  is  flying  or  nervously  flitting  its 
tail  after  it  has  alighted  on  a  tree  or  fence.  The  upper  parts 
are  dark  in  color;  a  line  from  the  hill  over  the  eye  is  yellow; 
a  black  crescent  spans  the  breast;  iLe  throat,  breast  and  upper 
belly  are  bright  yellow,  and  the  sides  and  lower  belly  are  whitish, 
spotted  or  streaked  with  black.  On  the  ground  it  builds  its  nest,  and 
lays  four  to  six  white  eggs  which  are  about  one  inch  long  and  spotted 
and  speckled  >vith  brown.  The  song  of  the  meadowlark  is  a  clear, 
plaintive  whistle  of  great  sweetness.  They  are  familiar  friends  of 
hillside  and  meadow.  Their  fife-like  whistle  is  often  heard  in  the 
springtime,  while  they  are  perched  on  a  tree  top  or  fence  post,  as 
well  as  their  sputtering  alarm  note  when  they  fly  before  us. 

The  Baltimore  Oriole,  sometimes  called  Golden  Robin,  is  loved 
by  all.  In  his  beautiful  plumage  of  orange  and  black  he  reminds  us 
of  stories  of  the  gorgeous  plumage  of  tropical  birds,  and  seems  out 
of  place  among  the  more  soberly-clad  inhabitants  of  northern  climes. 
The  head,  neck,  throat  and  upper  back  are  black,  and  the  breast, 
belly,  and  lower  back  are  a  rich  reddish-orange.  It  breeds  in  eastern 
North  America  and  winters  in  Central  America.  The  nest  of  the 
Baltimore  oriole  is  most  interesting.  It  is  made  of  grasses,  plant 
fibres,  hair,  strings  and  bark  firmly  interwoven,  and  is  hung  between 
two  twigs  from  near  the  extremity  of  a  limb  twenty  to  forty  feet  high. 
The  construction  work  is  done  by  the  female,  who,  though  not  so 
brightly  plumaged,  is  a  more  highly-skilled  weaver  than  the  male. 
The  young  birds  cry  ceaselessly  for  food — a  monotonous  "dee-dee-dee- 
dee,"  until  one  of  the  parents  arrives  and  stops  their  mouths.  This 
bird  is  one  of  the  greatest  destroyers  of  hairy  caterpillars,  and  for 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


S3 


I 

1 


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this  reason  is  one  of  the  best  friends  of  the  orchardist  and  the  forester. 
The  tussock,  gipsy,  browntail,  tent  and  forest  caterpillars,  and  the 
fall  web-worm  are  all  greedily  devoured  by  this  species.  For  variety, 
curculios,  wasps,  bugs,  plant-lice,  scale  insects,  and  flies  are  eaten, 
while  cultivated  fruit  is  occasionally  eaten  as  a  relish. 

The  Orchard  Oriole  is  not  so  brightly  colored.  The  head,  neck 
and  upper  parts  are  black;  the  breast,  belly  and  lower  back  are  chest- 
nut. This  bird  quietly,  but  with  excellent  taste,  builds  its  nest  of 
choicest  materials.  The  song,  which  no  words  can  describe,  is  a  fin- 
ished effort,  in  a  voice  rich  and  flexible. 

THE  LIVE  DIADEM 

The  Ruby-throated  Hummingbird  is  one  of  a  large  family 
which  dares  leave  warm,  sunny,  southern  regions,  and  visit  northern 
coimtries.  It  is  very  small,  scarcely  four  mches  long,  with  upper 
parts  bright,  shining  green;  under  parts  dusky  washed  with  green, 
and  throat  a  beautiful  metallic  ruby-red. 

Accuse  not  nature — she  hath  done  her  part; 
Do  thou  but  thine. — Milton. 

The  Ruby-throat  needs  no  song.  Its  beauty  gives  it  distinction,  and 
its  wings  make  music.  It  seems  ever  on  tl:e  wing,  now  hovering 
over  a  bright  blossom  for  a  moment  and  thrusting  its  long  bill  into 
the  flower  for  honey  or  for  insects,  then  flying  away  so  swiftly  that 
its  wings  are  lost  in  hazy  circles.  The  nest  is  of  down,  covered  ex- 
ternally with  lichens,  and  firmly  wound  with  almost  invisible  plant 
fibres.  The  tiny  nest,  not  much  over  one  inch  broad,  is  placed  on  a 
'limb  high  above  the  ground.  In  it  are  laid  two  tiny,  white  eggs 
about  the  size  of  a  pea.  Hummingbirds  are  curious  and  fearless. 
They  will  probe  a  flower  held  in  one's  hand,  or  fly  into  houses  and 
*  feed  upon  sugar  placed  on  a  table.  Their  food  consists  largely  of 
minute  insects. 

Voyager  on  golden  air. 

Type  of  all  that's  fleet  and  fair. 

Incarnate  gem. 

Live  diadem 
Bird-beam  of  the  summer  day. 
Whither  an  your  sunny  wayf* 


21 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


BIRDS  WITH  SPECIAL  MENU 

Cuckoos  are  to  be  found  iii  the  southern  part  of  the  United 
States  and  are  not  common  in  Canada. 

The  Black-billed  Cuckoo  is  the  more  common  northern  species. 

The  Yellow^iUeld  Cuckoo  occasionally  breeds  in  Canada.  It  is 
a  long,  slim,  dove-like  bird,  with  upper  parts  brownish  gray  with  a 
greenish  gloss,  under  parts  dull  whitish,  outer  tail-feathers  black 
tipped  with  white,  and  the  lower  mandible  yellow.  It  is  distinguish- 
able by  its  yellow  lo\,^r  mandible,  rufous  wing-feathers,  and  black, 
white-tipped  tail-feathers,  which  marks  are  absent  in  the  former. 
The  two  species  are  alike  in  habits.  They  are  msect-.  ating  bu*ds,  and 
are  particularly  fond  of  tent-caterpillar  larvae.  Cuckoos  are  of  quiet 
and  retiring  habits,  and  on  account  of  their  mournful  notes  are  often 
regarded  with  awe  by  the  superstitous.  Their  short,  rounded  wings, 
and  long,  broad  tails  give  them  a  silent,  gliding  flight.  They  arrive  in 
Canada  and  the  United  States  in  :May  or  June  and  leave  in  Septem- 
ber for  northern  South  i^uierica.  The  nests  are  flat,  shabby  plat- 
forms of  twigs  placed  on  tlie  lower  branches  of  trees.  The  eggs  are 
greenish-blue,  and  over  one  inch  long. 

The  Belted  Kingfisher  is  found  about  ponds,  lakes  and  rivers, 
looking  for  small  fish,  which  they  catch  by  diving.  The  upper 
parts  are  bluish-gray;  the  tail-feathers  have  numerous  spots  and 
broken  bands  of  white;  the  throat,  a  spot  before  the  eye,  and  the 
breast  and  belly  are  white;  a  band  across  the  breast,  and  the  sides 
are  bluish-gray,  sometimes  tinged  with  rufous.  The  nest  is  built  at 
the  end  of  a  two  or  three-foot  tunnel  in  a  sand  bank,  where  five  or 
more  glossy  white  eggs  are  laid  upon  the  sand.  Silently  the  king- 
fisher perches  on  some  limb  overhanging  the  water,  ever  watching 
for  a  fish,  his  only  food.  Just  as  you  reach  the  danger  line  he  drops 
from  his  perch  and  with  a  loud,  rattling  call  flies  on  ahead. 

The  Blue  Jay  resembles  the  kingfisher  in  size  and  color,  but  his 
habits  are  quite  different.  Nearly  three-fourths  of  the  food  of  the 
blue  jay  is  vegetable  matter — seeds,  nuts  and  fruits.  One  of  his 
many  faults  is  that  of  eating  the  eggs  and  young  of  other  birds.  The 
head  is  crested ;  the  upper  parts  are  grayish-blue,  marked  with  black 
and  white;  a  black  band  passes  across  the  neck,  back  of  the  head,  and 
across  the  breast;  the  tail  is  blue,  with  feathers  barred  with  black  and 
tipped  with  white.  The  blue  jay  is  a  mimic  and  a  ventriloquist,  and 
delights  in  teasing  other  birds.    The  nest  is  built  in  the  crotch  of  a 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


25 


I 
I 


tree.    The  four  to  six  pale  olive-green  egg$,  thickly  marked  with 
brown,  are  an  inch  long. 

The  Canada  Jay,  named  Whisky-Jack  and  Moose-bird  by  lum- 
bermen, is  common  in  northern  woods.  The  fore  part  of  the  head  is 
white,  the  back  of  the  head  and  nape  sooty-black,  the  back  gray,  the 
v/ings  and  tail  gray,  the  throat  and  sides  of  the  neck  white,  and  the 
under  parts  ashy-gray.  Because  of  his  puffy,  gray  feathers,  and 
general  colors,  he  resembles  a  big  chickadee.  The  Canada  jay  is  not 
so  shy  as  most  birds  and  soon  becomes  a  pet  about  lumber  camps 
where  he  feeds  on  the  crumbs  of  bread  and  other  food  thrown  out  to 
him.  Lumbermen  claim  that  he  is  very  fond  of  whisky,  and  they 
delight  in  making  him  "drunk."  They  nest  early  in  March,  while  deep 
snow  still  covers  the  ground,  and  frost  reigns  supreme  in  the  woods. 

TWO  BIRDS,  GROOMED  ALIKE,  GO  OUT  FOR  THEIR 

EVENING  MEAL 

Whip-poor-will  is  an  interesting  bird,  often  heard  in  the  calm 
of  the  evening  repeating  his  name,  but  not  often  seen.  His  colors 
resemble  those  of  the  bark  of  a  tree,  black,  brown  and  buflF,  with 
touches  of  white.  There  is  a  narrow,  white  band  across  the  breast, 
iind  half  of  the  vhree  outer  tail-feathers  is  white.  They  breed  in 
eastern  North  xlmerica  and  winter  in  Florida.  Two  dull  white  eggs, 
with  delicate,  obscure  lilac  markings  and  a  few  brownish  spots,  are 
laid  on  the  ground  among  leaves.  They  are  birds  of  the  night,  and 
capture  and  devour  a  great  number  of  the  large-bodied  moths  that 
fly  in  the  woods. 

The  Nighthawk  is  often  confounded  with  the  whip-poor-will, 
but  the  latter  is  easily  distinguishable  by  the  long  bristles  from  the 
base  of  the  bill,  the  black  chin  and  the  rounded  tail.  In  the 
male  nighthawk  the  throat  is  white  and  there  is  a  white  band  across 
the  tail.  The  forked  tail  and  the  white  band  across  each  wing  easily 
distinguishes  it  at  a  distance.  It  lays  two,  mottled,  gray  and  white 
eggs  on  the  ground  among  rocks  in  pastures.  The  nighthawk,  like  the 
whip-poor-will,  passes  the  day  perched  lengthwise  on  a  limb;  but  soon 
after  sunset  he  mounts  high  in  the  air,  flies  erraticaUy  about,  at  irregu- 
lar intervals  utters  a  loud  nasal  peent,  and  follows  it  by  two  or  tliree 
unusually  quick,  flitting  wing-beats.  It  is  coursing  for  insects,  its 
principal  food. 


3« 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


FLYCATCHEaS— BIRDS    WHICH    DART    TO   CATCH 

PASSING  INSECTS 

The  Kingbird  is  every  inch  a  king !  Concealed  under  the  feathers 
on  the  head  is  his  crown  of  orange-red.  He  dearly  loves  a  fight; 
and  his  scientific  name,  Tyrannus  tyrannm,  recalls  the  lives  of  kings 
of  other  <i..y3.  The  upper  parts  are  grayish  slate-color,  the  tail  black 
tipped  with  white,  and  the  under  parts  white.  The  nest  of  grasses 
and  moss,  firmly  compacted,  is  placed  high  up  at  the  end  of  a  branch. 
The  eggs  are  one  inch  long,  three  to  five  in  number,  and  white, 
spotted  with  umber.  The  kingbird  has  no  love  for  crows,  black- 
birds, hawks  and  jays  in  particular,  and  should  any  of  these  approach 
his  nest  they  are  reminded  that  other  birds  have  rights  which  must  be 
respected.  He  captures  a  vast  number  of  mature  insects  and  thus 
renders  a  great  service  to  the  farmer.  He  is  known  also  as  the  Tyrant 
Flycatcher. 

The  Phoebe  is  another  flycatcher,  with  all  the  food  traits  of  the 
family.  It  is  not  too  aggressive,  and  does  no  injury  in  any  way. 
They  nest  in  and  about  dwellings  and  under  bridges.  If  unmolested 
they  will  return  year  after  year  to  the  same  nest.  The  colors  of 
the  upper  parts  are  grayish-brown  with  an  olive-green  cast;  the  crown 
is  greenish-brown ;  the  outer  tail-feathers  whitish,  and  the  under  parts 
white,  washed  with  yellow,  and  tinged  with  brownish-gray  on  the 
sides.  The  bill  is  black.  The  phoebe  is  a  devoted  parent  and  is  sel- 
dom found  far  from  home.  There  is  something  familiar,  trustful, 
and  homelike  in  its  ways.  Perched  on  a  bridge-rail  or  barnyard  gate 
he  contentedly  sings  his  humble,  monotonous  "pewit  phoebe,  pewit 
phoebe." 

The  Wood  Pewee  is  a  near  relation  of  the  phoebe,  and  like  the 
latter  has  gentle,  pensive  ways  voiced  by  his  sad,  sweet  call.  All 
day  long  he  repeats  his  name,  "pee-a-wee ;"  and  these  clear,  sympa- 
thetic notes  come  from  the  canopy  of  green  overhead,  during  the  peace 
and  stillness  of  the  hot  mid-day  hour  when  summer  heat  has  silenced 
more  vigorous  birds.  The  upper  parts  are  very  dark,  the  wings  and 
tail  greenish-brown  and  the  under  parts  whitish  washed  with  gray  on 
the  sides.  He  winters  in  Central  America  and  breeds  throughout 
North  America,  building  a  nest  of  grasses  and  moss,  high  up  in  a  tree. 
One  writer  says:    "I  have  seen  one  wood  pewee  catch  and  feed  to  its 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


tT 


1 


young  forty-one  insects  in  forty-five  minutes."      There  are  several 
other  members  of  the  Flycatcher  family. 

The  Least  Flycatcher  or  Chebec  is  one  of  the  smallest  and  the 
most  comiiion  in  the  north,  especially  in  Canada.  Its  small  si^e, 
the  comparative  absence  of  yellow  on  the  under  parts,  and  the  gen- 
erally horn-colored  or  brown  lower  mandible  are  the  chief  distinguish- 
ing characteristics.  He  salutes  you  with  a  business-like  "chebec, 
chebec,"  as  he  sallies  after  insects  about  lawns  and  orchards,  which 
he  prefers  to  the  forest.  The  nest  built  in  a  tree,  contains  three  to 
five  unmarked,  white  eggs. 

The  Crested  Flycatcher  is  much  larger  and  has  a  sulphur-yellow 
l)elly,  and  throat  and  breast  of  pear!-gray.  His  note  is  a  loud  whistle 
which  pierces  far  through  the  clearing,  bs,  full  of  life  and  vigor  in 
bright  spring  days,  he  flies  about  in  green  tree  tops,  chattering  to  him- 
self or  calling  loudly  as  he  goes. 

A  BIRD  WITH  NO  AMERICAN  RELATIVE 

The  Horned  Lark  is  the  only  representative  of  the  Lark  family 
in  America,  and  it  is  a  winter  visitor  from  northern  re/»ions.  These 
hardy  birds  visit  us  in  flocks,  and  may  be  seen  runiiing  over  the 
snow  or  barren  ground  when  few  birds  are  about.  They  take  wing 
with  a  sharp,  whistled  note.  The  forehead,  a  line  over  the  eye,  the 
ear  region,  and  the  throat  are  sulphur-yellow;  the  upper  parts  are 
grayish-brown;  a  black  patch  crosses  the  breast;  the  under  parts  are 
whitish,  and  on  either  side  of  the  head  there  rises  a  tuft  of  elongated 
feathers  resembling  a  horn. 

Note — See  Nature  Study  Lessons,  by  G.  A.  Cornish  for  outlines 
for  use  in  teaching  the  subject  of  birds. — Publishers. 

Lesson  iS. — The  Horned  Lark 

1.  Method 

2.  Colors  and  Structures 
S.  Locomotion 

4.  Feeding  Habits 
The  Horned  Lark  (Drawing) 

Lcssoif  26. — Nest  and  Song  of  the  Horned  Lab:: 

1.  Its  Song 

2.  Nesting  Habits 

5.  Migration  and  Other  Habits 


ft  OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 

STOUT-BILLED  BIRDS,  FAMOUS  FOR  THEIR 

BEAUTY 

The  Pine  Grosbeak  is  another  winter  visitor  from  colder,  northern 
regions.  The  male  is  slaty-gray,  more  or  less  strongly  washed  witlj 
rose-red.  In  the  female,  olive-yellow  takes  the  place  of  the  rose-red 
in  the  male.  Because  of  a  general  resmblance  to  the  American  robni 
it  is  often  called  the  Winter  Robin.  Its  tail  is  forked,  and  the  beak 
short  and  thick.  They  are  very  fond  of  the  red  berries  of  sumach, 
and  mountain  ash  trees  also  provide  them  with  a  nourishmg  diet. 

The  Evening  Grosbeak,  which  has  a  black  crown,  wings  and  tail, 
and  a  yellow  forehead,  rump  and  belly,  is  a  hardy  and  distinguished 
inhabitant  of  far  northern  regions  which  comes  south  to  Manitoba  and 
Ontario,  and  the  north-western  United  States  in  winter  time. 

The  Rose-breasted  Grcsbeak  is  an  occasional  summer  resident 
of  North  America,  coming  north  in  early  summer  from  South  Ameri- 
ca. It  is  a  beautiful  bird  with  black  head,  throat  and  back,  and  blood- 
red  breast.  Perched  on  a  high  tree  he  will  sing  for  hours  a  joyous 
carol  of  exquisite  purity,  which  seldom  fails  to  appeal  to  the  sym- 
pathies, and  arouse  the  enthusiasm  of  those  whose  ears  are  usually 
deaf  to  the  music  of  the  birds.  There  is  no  mistaking  the  male  in 
his  black,  white  and  rose  costume;  but  the  sparrow-like  costume  of 
his  mate  may  not  attract  attention. 

The  Purple  Finch  is  quite  small.  The  male  has  the  entire 
body  suflFused  with  rose-red,  but  the  female  bears  a  decided  re- 
semblance to  a  sparrow,  except  for  the  rounded  bill,  the  tufts  of 
feathers  over  the  nostrils,  and  the  forked  tail.  The  purple  finch  is 
a  garden  bird  very  fond  of  fruit  blossoms  and  buds.  Its  full  song 
is  a  sweet-toned,  carelessly-flowing  warble  which  bursts  forth  as  if 
from  a  happy  heart,  particularly  when  he  wishes  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion and  win  the  love  of  a  demure  female.  It  nests  in  conifers,  and 
lays  four  to  six  blue  eggs  which  are  spotted  with  brown  about  the 
larger  end.  . 

The  little  Redpoll  with  his  bright  red  crown,  grayish-brown 
back,  and  pinkish  breast,  is  one  best  known  as  a  winter  visitor.  It 
comes  from  the  north  in  flocks  in  search  of  food.  It  is  affectionaf; 
and  confiding,  easily  tamed,  and  makes  an  interesting  pet. 

The  Snow  Bunting  or  Snowflake  comes  south  in  great  flocks,  wnen 
the  chill  season  comes  on  in  icy  regions,  and  forages  about  barnyai-ds 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


and  bare  fields.  They  must  find  enough  to  eat,  because  they  arc 
always  verv  fat  and  in  good  health  and  spirits.  The  whole  head,  neck, 
rump  and  under  parts  are  white,  with  some  black  on  the  wings  and 
tail.  As  long  as  the  snow  lasts  the  snowflakes  stay;  but  when  warm, 
sunny  days  in  spring  arrive  they  betake  themselves  to  far  northern 
regions  and  there  build  their  nests. 

The  Pine  Siskin  is  another  bird  of  the  north  which  comes  south  in 
winter.  The  upper  parts  are  streaked  with  black  and  buff;  the  wings 
and  tail  are  greenish-brown  with  yellow  markings  which  serve  to  dis- 
tinguish it. 

The  A  merican  Goldfinch  or  Thistle-bird,  a  northern  summer  resi- 
dent, winters  in  the  United  States  and  the  warmer  parts  of  Canada. 
It  is  held  ui  high  esteem,  enjoyed  by  few  other  birds.  The  adult  male 
is  bright  yellow  with  black  cap,  wings  and  tail.  The  female  is  olive- 
green  all  over.  As  they  bound  through  the  air  in  undulating  paths  their 
joyous  nature  is  expressed  by  the  canary-like  song  which  speaks  of  the 
wilds  of  nature  and  of  a  happy  life.  They  are  seed-eating  birds,  and 
may  often  be  seen  swinging  from  the  ripened  heads  of  a  dandelion  or  u 
thistle,  and  eating  the  tufted  seeds.  The  nest  of  grass  and  moss, 
thickly  lii.ed  with  down,  is  placed  in  a  bush  or  tree,  and  contains  three 
to  six  pale  bluish-white  eggs,  not  much  over  one-half  inch  long.  When 
the  young  birds  are  placed  in  a  cage,  hung  from  the  tree  at  first  and 
moved  a  few  feet  each  day  toward  the  house,  the  parent  birds  will 
feed  them  until  they  are  old  enough  to  eat  the  food  given  canaries. 
They  do  well  in  captivity,  the  male  in  spring  putting  on  his  coat  of 
yellow  and  black  and  singing  his  joyous  song.  The  writer  kept  one 
for  eleven  years.     It  died  evidently  of  old  age. 

The  following  is  from  the  index  of  Finches,  in  the  New  Canadian 
Bird  Book,  by  W.  T.  MacClement,  M.  A.,  D.  Sc,  Professor,  Queen's 
University.  This  book  gives  concise  sketches  of  all  Canadian  birds. 
Dominion  Book  Company,  Toronto. 


Finch,  9-177-186-187-188.190-192-193-195. 
196-197.198-199-200-201-202-207-208- 
218-224-225-226-242. 
Painted,  224. 

Dickcissel    or    Black-throatcd    Bunting, 
225. 
Indigo  Bunting  or  Indigo  Bird,  224. 
Lark   Bunting  or   VVliite-wingcd   Black- 
bird, 226. 
Lazuli  Bunting,  225. 
Purple,  192-218. 


Rosy,  196. 

.\lfutian  Leucosticte,  Brandt's,  196. 
American  Goldfinch,  198. 
Black-breasted  Longspur,  202. 
Chestnut-colored  Longspur,  2C2. 
•"ray-crowned    Leucosticte,     Swanson's, 

196. 
Pu.j  Siskin,  199. 
Redpoll,  197. 
Hoary,  197. 
Greater,  198. 


m 


30 


lA. 


«A. 


SA. 


sc. 
sc. 

4C. 


0£/B    COMMON    BIRDS 

COLOR  KEY  TO  THE  SPARROWS 
Crown  reddUh-brown. 

IB.     Throat  and  brea«t  not  streaked.  «     ,      /n.-     •- 

IC.     Plain   light-gray;   white   line   on   the   eye;  •mall— 1.     Chtpping 

Sparrow.  ,.    .  •  lu       i 

Plain  aahy-gray;  no  wing-bari;  much  reddish-brown  on  the  wings; 

(found  about  water)— 2.     Swamp  Sparrow. 

Plain  ashy-gray;  distinct  white  wing-bars;  black  spot  on  breast— 

a.     Tree  Sparrow.  «    .      ,      j     ^      r-  ij 

Plain    ashy-gray;    buff    wing-bars;  flesh-colored—*,    fteia 

Crown  browrrr^Mhy-brown.— (Plumage  much  streaked  a^o'*  »•"*.. ^^^o"; 
with  distinct  streaks  on  the  sides  of  the  throat,  and  a  blotch  in  the  middle  of 

the  breast). 

IB.     Streaks  brown  and  black— 3.     Song  Sparrow. 

2B.     Streata  reddish-browu— 6.     Fox  Sparrow. 

Crown  distinctly  streaked. 

IB.     With  white  and  black  streaks  or    -rown.  ,     ,      .     .  »v 

IC.    A  white  patch  on  the  thn   t;  a  yellow  line  in  front  of  the  eye— 

7.     TVhiie-throated  Sparrow. 
«C.     Throat  and  breast  gray— 8.     White-crowned  Sparrow. 
SB      With  faint  but'  streak  through  the  crown,  and  a  yellow  streak  over  the 
eye;  breast  and  sides  of  throat  dashed  with  brownish-black— 9.    Savan- 
na Sparron. 
4A.     Shows  white  outer  tail-feathers  when  flying. 

IB.     Brownish-colored— 10.     Vetper  Sparrow. 
SB.    Slate-colored— 11.    Junco. 

See  the  New  CanaJiaf  Bird  Book,  by  Dr.  W.  T.  MacClement, 
Professor,  Queen's  University,  for  concise  sketches  of  the  following 
sparrows.    The  list  is  from  the  index  of  that  book.— Publishers. 

Harris',  Black-hooded,  209. 
White-crowned,  211. 
White-throated.  211. 


Soarrows.2-8-9-143-179-18«-187.188-189-190- 
^P"         19WOr204-205.206-207.208-209.210. 
211.212-213-214-215.216-217.218-219- 
220.221-243-261. 
Beach  and  Grasshopper  Sparrows,  205. 
Grasshopper,  205. 
Henslow's,  206. 
Lark,  208. 
Lcconte's,  207.  cu    .,  . 

Nelson's    Sparrow.    Nelson's    Sharp.t 
tailed  Finch,  207. 
Chipping  Sparrows,  211. 
Brewer's,  214. 
Chipping,  Hair  Bird,  21Z 
Clay-colored,  213. 
Field,  214. 

Tree,  Winter  Chippy.  212. 
Western,  213. 
Crowned  Sparrows.  209. 
Golden-crowned,  211. 


Domestic  Sparrow,  187. 
Fox  Sparrows,  219. 

Eastern,  220. 

Slate-colored,  221. 

Sooty,  221. 

Townsend's,  221. 
Grass  Sparrows,  203. 

Biird's,  205.  „  ^. 

Griy  Bird,  Grass  Bird,  Vesper,  203. 

Ipswich,  204. 

Sandwich,  204. 

Savanna,  204. 
House  Sparrow,  193. 
Snow  Sparrows,  Juncoes,  215. 

Oregon,  215. 

Shufeldt's,  216. 

Slate-colored,  21S. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 

OUR  NATIVE  SPAKROWS 


SI 


The  Finchet  and  the  Sparrow  constitute  the  Urgwt  family  of 
North  American  birds,  represented  in  Canada  by  over  thirty  species 
and  in  the  United  States  by  more.    The  sparrows,  commonly  called 
"orav  birds,"  are  common  about  roadsides  and  farms  during  the 
sSiier  months.    In  general  they  build  on  or  near  the  ground^^and 
are  brown  in  coloring.    Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  insects.    Duruig 
the  summer  and  early  autumn  the  young  are  fed  on  insects,  and  as 
there  are  two  or  three  broods  each  season,  this  means  a  vast  number 
of  insects  taken  from  crops.    When  the  breeding  season  is  over,  spar- 
rows  gather  into  flocks  and  may  be  found  in  large  numbers  in  weed 
patches  left  about  the  farm.    As  winter  comes  on  they  leave  for  the 
south.    Many  species  take  high  rank  as  songsters ;  and  a  quiet  sojourn 
in  the  country,  or  a  drive  along  country  roads,  or  a  tramp  through  the 
woods,  would  be  dull  indeed  without  the  clear  notes  of  theSong  Spar- 
row,  or  the  cheery,  patriotic  song  of  the  White-throated  Sparro^>, 
which  seems  to  say:    "I  love  dear  Canada,  Canada,  Canada. 

The  Song  Sparrow,  ab-eady  referred  to,  is  one  of  the  best  singers 
of  early  spring,  and  tells  us  that  the  winter  is  past.  He  strikes  three 
or  four  strong  notes  and  then  runs  down  the  scale. 

"A  joyful  flourish  lilted  clear- 
Four  notes— then  fails  the  frolic  song. 
And  memories  of  a  vanished  year. 
The  wistful  cadences  prolong; 
A  vanished  year — O  heart  too  sore — 
I  cannot  sing:'  thus  ends  the  lay; 
Long  silence,  then  awakes  once  more 
His  song  ecstatic  of  the  May." 

The  crown  is  brownish,  and  the  breast  is  marked  with  wedge-shai^ed 
spots  of  black  and  brown  which  tend  to  form  one  larger  blotcu  -t 
the  center.  Its  vivacious  song  may  be  heard  by  mght  as  w^  as 
by  day,  and  in  aU  weathers;  and  though  not  a  sociable  species  it  ^  ^ne 
of  the  best  known  of  all  sparrows.  It  nests  on  the  ground  or  in 
bushes,  and  lays  four  to  five  white  or  bluish-white  eggs  with  b^oA^  n 

markings.  ,       .  u  *  • 

The  Vesper  Sparrow  much  resembles  t   j  song  sparrow,  but  is 
distinguished  by  two  outer,  white  tail-feathers  which  show  when  it 


St 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


flies.  It  if  a  spring  migrant  in  northern  America,  wintering  on  the  At- 
lantic coast  and  breeding  in  Canada.  While  walking  along  a  country 
road,  the  vesper  sparrow  will  run  rapidly  ahead  of  you,  wait  fo^  you  to 
catch  up,  then  run  ahead  again.  His  song  is  clear,  loud  and  ringing. 
It  is  sweeter  and  more  plaintive  than  that  of  the  song  sparrow,  and 
.sounds  best  as  the  evening  shadows  gather. 

The  Savanna  Sparrow  has  no  distinctive  marks  except  pale  yel- 
low lines  over  or  before  the  eye  and  on  the  bend  of  the  wing.  It  is 
a  common  bird  by  roadsides  and  in  the  fields,  and  chirps  vigorously  at 
every  passer-by  as  it  bobs  up  and  down  on  fence-posts.  Its  song  is  a 
weak,  musical  trill  most  audible  toward  sunset. 

The  Sioamp  Sparrow  is  distinguished  by  its  unstreaked  *  reast 
and  characteristic  song — a  simple,  sweet,  monotonous  "tweet  7ee(- 
tweet,"  repeated  many  times.  It  is  rarely  s^n  beyond  the  confines  of 
a  wet  meadow  or  grassy  marsh. 

The  Fox  Sparrow,  which  is  foxy-red  all  over,  and  larger  than 
the  other  species,  is  seen  in  early  spring  about  damp  thickets  and 
roadside  shrubbery  foraging  among  the  dead  leaves.  Its  song  is  not 
surpassed  by  that  of  any  of  the  sparrows.  One  may  be  sauntering 
along  wooded  fields  enjoying  the  balmy  air  of  evening,  when  he  is 
halted  by  a  beautiful,  new  song.  It  is  a  solo  at  first — an  emotional 
outburst  rising  full  toned  and  clear,  and  passing  all  too  quickly  to 
a  closinp  raience  t^-hich  seems  to  linger  m  the  silent,  evening  air. 
Then,  of  a  sudden,  the  solo  is  succeeded  Ly  a  chorus — from  every 
side,^  and  from  a  hundred  throats,  comes  the  same  sweet  melody — the 
music  of  the  fox  sparrows. 

The  White-throated  Sparrow  or  "Old  Tom  Peahtdy"  is  found 
throughout  North  America  and  is  the  national  song  bird  of  Canada. 

"Shtf  Hrd  of  the  silver  arrows  of  song. 
That  cleave  our  northern  air  so  clear. 
Thy  notes  prolong,  prolong; 
I  listen,  I  hear — 
'I'love-dear-Canada-Canada-Canada!' 

Shy  bird  of  the  silver  arrows  of  song. 
Shy  poet  of  Canada  dear. 
Thy  notes  prolong,  prolong; 
We  listen,  we  hear — 
'I-love-dear-Canada-Canada-Canadal^" 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


M 


The  center  of  the  crown  has  a  white  stripe  bordered  on  either  side 
by  much  wider  black  stripes,  and  a  white  stripe  passes  from  the  eye 
backward  along  the  side  of  the  head.  The  throat  is  marked  by  a 
square,  white  patch.  While  feeding  on  the  ground  near  their  haunts, 
there  is  little  in  their  modest  appearance  to  tell  one  of  their  vocal 
powers;  but  suddenly  a  clear,  sweet,  plaintive  song  arrests  one's 
attention,  and  we  listen  to  the  patriotic  words  of  Canada's  national 
song  bird. 

The  Chippinr/  Sparrow  is  the  smallest  of  all  the  sparrows — so 
small  that  sometimes  it  hangs  itself  accidentally  with  a  horse  hair  used 
in  lining  its  nest.  The  top  of  the  head  is  reddish-brown,  the  under 
parts  nearly  white,  and  the  bill  black.  It  is  the  humblest,  most  unas- 
suming member  of  the  family,  making  its  ne«^  in  the  vines  about  our 
lurches,  and  feeding  on  the  cnunbs  about  our  doorsteps.  Its  song 
is  a  monotonous  "chippy,"  often  repeated. 

The  Winter  Chippy  or  Tree  Sparrow  is  larger  than  the  chipping 
sparrow,  and  in  addition  to  the  size  is  distinguished  by  an  almost 
indistinct  bhick  spot  on  the  centre  of  the  breast.  They  come  in  flocks 
from  the  North  when  fields  are  beginning  to  look  brown  and  drearj' 
and  feed  on  the  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses.  In  spring  they  begin  : 
sing  a  low,  sweet,  canary-like  song. 

The  Junco  is  welcome  in  early  spring  days,  even  though  drest 
in  sober  colors  and  with  a  song  seldom  heard,  and  we  must  not  leav^ 
the  sparrow  family  without  referring  to  this  common  bird.  It  is 
slate-color  abo'.e,  white  below,  with  flesh-color  bill,  and  white  outer 
tail-feathers.  The  "tsip"  of  the  junco  is  known  to  all,  but  few  have 
heard  his  low,  sweet  song,  which  is  as  unpretentious  and  cheery  as  the 
bird  itself. 

A  EUROPEAN  IMMIGRAlsT 
The  English  Sparrow  was  first  introduced  into  the  United  States 
in  1850,  when  eight  pairs  were  brought  from  England  to  Brooklyn. 
Now  the  bird  is  common  in  all  parts  of  America,  and  has  become  a 
nuisance.  There  is  nothing  attractive  in  its  plumage.  The  male 
is  marked  by  a  black  blotch  on  the  throat,  and  white  cheeks.  Its  note 
is  g»jttural  and  harsh.  In  Europe  it  is  a  beneficial  insect 
•lestroyer;  in  America  it  is  a  pest.  They  are  amazingly  hardy  and 
prolific.  One  of  the  most  serious  faults  of  the  English  sparrow  is 
that  it  drives  away  the  useful,  native  birds  from  our  orchards  and 


'i^ 


34 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


gurdeDB',  and  its  incessant,  noisy  chattering  is  heard  instead  of  the* 
sweet  and  pleasing  songs  of  other  birds  such  as  finches,  native  spar- 
rows, bluebirds,  orioles  and  vireos.  It  is  true  that  the  young  are  fed 
with  insects,  but  the  evil  that  the  sparrow  does  is  much  greater  than 
the  good. 

VALUABLE  ARBOREAL  BIRDS— TH  Z  VIREOS 

The  Vireos  are  small,  insect-eating  birds,  slow  in  '  cv'  movements, 
and  lovers  of  trees,  where  they  secure  their  food  from  crevices  in 
the  bark  or  from  the  under  side  of  leaves. 

The  Red-eyed  Vireo  is  the  most  common  species  in  Canada  and 
the  United  States.  It  has  a  slaty-gray  crown  bordered  on  either  side 
by  black,  a  white  line  over  the  eye,  under  parts  pure  white,  and  upper 
parts  olive-green.  The  conspicuous  white  line  over  the  eye,  with  its 
black  border,  and  the  bird's  red  eyes,  distinguish  it  from  its  relations. 
It  is  a  northern  summer  resident,  wintering  in  Central  America.  All 
through  the  spring  and  summer  months  their  warble  is  heard  from 
woodland  and  roadside,  often  becoming  monotonous.  It  is  delivered  in 
parts,  with  intermissions  of  a  few  seconds  between,  from  morning  until 
night.  He  is  called  the  "Preacher,"  because  he  explains  his  subject  in 
a  few  words  and  then  makes  a  pause  for  his  hearers  to  reflect  upon  it. 
Translated,  his  sermon  is :  "You  see  it ;  you  know  it ;  do  you  hear  me  ? 
do  you  believe  it?"  All  these  strains  are  delivered  with  a  rising  inflec- 
tion at  the  close,  and  with  a  pause  as  if  waiting  for  an  answer. 

The  Warbling  Vireo  is  olive-green  above,  with  no  black  border 
on  the  crown.  The  under  parts  are  white,  slightly  washed  with  yel- 
low. It  breeds  as  far  north  as  Hudson  Bay,  and  winters  in  the  trop- 
ics.   Its  song  is  a  firm,  rich,  continuous  warble. 

The  Yellow-throated  Vireo  has  bright  olive-green  upper  parts,  a 
white  belly,  and  eye-ring  and  throat  and  breast  bright  yellow.  It  is  a 
dweller  in  tree-tops,  and  its  tune  is  deeper,  richer  and  more  deliberate 
than  that  of  the  Red-eyed.  He  calls:  "See  me;  I'm  here;  where 
are  you?" 


OUR        OMMOy    BIRDS 

THE  MIMIC 


85 


"From  tfie  coverts  of  the  thicket  comes  a  wondrous  burst  of  song; 
Tripping  gaily,  pressing,  crowding,  flood  the  liquid  notes  along! 
'Tis  the  catbird,  dear  old  Orpheus,  with  a  heart  as  full  of  joy 
As  our  quaint  old  Quaker  poet,  or  his  whistling  bare-foot  boy." 

The  Catbird  is  one  of  the  most  intelligent  of  birds.  As  the  trees 
come  into  leafage  in  May,  catbirds  and  thrashers  fill  the  air  with  their 
delightful  songs.  We  close  the  eyes  and  give  the  ears  full  enjoyment. 
The  catbird,  so-called  because  he  can  "mew'  ike  a  cat,  is  inclined  to 
be  friendly  to  man,  and  where  he  is  well  treated  and  his  confidence 
%von,  will  show  himself  delightfully  familiar,  coming  around  the  ver- 
anda,  answering  one's  talk,  and  singing  for  our  entertainment.  He 
is  a  charming  singer.  The  song  seems  to  be  made  up  as  he  goes 
along.  It  is  an  indescribable  medley  interspersed  with  various  mews 
and  calls.  His  general  color  is  dark  gray,  with  a  black  cap,  and  chest- 
nut under  the  tail-coverts.  He  is  nine  inches  long.  The  nest  is 
found  in  hedges  or  thickets  and  is  made  of  twigs,  rootlets  and  grass, 
lined  with  fine  black  roots.  The  four  eggs  are  plain  greenish-blue. 
The  catbird  knows  his  rights,  and  knowing,  dares  maintain  them.  The 
old  birds  are  valiant  defenders  of  the  nest,  and  the  mother  bird  is  one 
of  the  most  anxious  and  devoted.  If  her  nest  is  discovered  she  ex- 
hibits so  much  distress  that  many  birds,  and  even  dogs,  are  attracted 
to  her  assistance.  In  general,  catbirds  are  lively,  playful,  full  of 
pranks  and  quaint  performances,  and  should  be  encouraged  about 
our  homes. 

"Dear,  merry  mocker,  your  mimic  art 
Makes  drowsy  Grimalkin  awake  with  a  start. 
And  peer  all  around  with  a  puzzled  air — 
For  who  would  suppose  that  one  would  dare 
To  mimic  the  voice  of  a  mortal  foe! 
You're  safe  on  the  bough,  as  well  you  know. 
And  if  ever  a  bird  could  laugh  *tis  you. 
Drawling,  'Mi-ow,  mi-ew.*" 


36 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 

A  WELL  GROOMED  VISITOR 


The  Cedar  Waaming,  often  called  Cedar-bird  or  Cherry-htrd,  is 
the  most  polite  and  the  best  groomed  of  all  bird  ,.  The  forehead,  chin, 
and  a  line  through  the  eye,  are  velvety  black;  the  head,  and  the  upper 
parts  are  a  rich  grayish-brown,  with  smaU,  red,  sealing-wax  tips  on 
some  of  the  wing  feathers ;  the  belly  is  yellowish,  and  the  tail  has  a  yel- 
low  band  at  its  end.  The  nest  is  placed  in  a  fruit  or  shade  tree,  and 
the  eggs  are  bluish-gray  spotted  with  umber.  The  cedar  waxwing  is 
a  common  summer  resident  of  Canada  and  northern  United  States. 
Though  very  beautiful,  and  an  insect  destroyer  to  a  certam  extent, 
it  unodubtedly  consumes  a  large  number  of  cherries  and  currants  and 
a  few  raspberries.  They  are  very  tame,  and  allow  anyone  to  almost 
touch  them  wliile  they  are  feeding.  The  note  is  an  insignificant  hiss. 
Their  beauty,  and  their  gentle,  refined  ways,  make  them  seem  superior 
creatures  of  the  air  whom  we  must  respect. 

THE  BUTCHER-BIRD  AND  THE  LOGGERHEAD 
The  Northern  Shrike  or  Butcher-bird  is  a  hawk-like,  blood-thirsty 
bird  which  preys  on  small  birds,  field-mice  and  noxious  insects.  It  is  a 
bird  ten  inches  long,  with  gray,  black,  and  white  the  prevailing  colors. 
They  are  unable,  because  of  the  structure  of  their  feet,  to  hold  their 
prev  while  they  eat  it,  so  they  impale  it  upon  thorns  or  barbs  and  tear 
it  to  pieces  with  their  hooked  bills,  hence  the  n«n,e  butcher-bird. 
The   song  consists   of  various   whistles.     The>  -e   their   rude, 

bulky  nests  of  twigs  and  weeds  in  thorny  trees  rubs;  and  lay 

four  to  six  grayish  white,  spotted  eggs  over  an  iwcn  long,    bhrikes 
are  cruel  and  rapacious,  and  are  not  held  in  high  esteem. 

The  Loggerhead  Shrike  has  black  upper  parts  and  white  under 
parts,  and  its  habits  are  in  general  like  those  of  the  northern  shrike. 
His  notes  are  harsh  and  umnusical. 
HIGHLY  INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS— THE  SWALLOWS 

COLOR  KEY  TO  SWALLOWS 
lA.     Upper  parts  with  metallic  reflections. 

IB.     Under  parts,  steel-blue.  .     i*    i-     /xf\ 

IC.     Feathers  on  belly  brownish  at  the  base— 1.     Purple  Marltn  (M) 

2B.     Throat  chestnut,  or  brownish.  ...  .  j  j      i. 

IC.     Upper  tail-coverts  steel-blue;  tail   with  white  spots,  and  deeply 
forked— 2.     Bam  Sicalloxv. 

2C.     Upper  tail-coverts  brownish  or  buff— S.     Cliff  bwalloxv. 
SB.     Throat  gray  or  white. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


S7 


2A. 


l?'    ^u  '  P*^  white— 4.     Tree  Swallow  (M) 

-t.     Throat  and  breast  brownish-gray— 1.    Purple  Martin  (F) 
Upper  parts  without  metallic  reflections. 
in      ^u^"  P"'*'  entirely  white— 4.     Tree  Swallow  (Young) 
8JJ.     Throat  and  belly  white;  a  brownish-gray  band  across  the  breast— r.. 
iiank  &  wallow. 

The  Swallows  are  denizens  of  the  air.  It  is  their  domain,  and  it 
contains  their  food.  In  structure  they  are  especially  adapted  for  their 
life,  liaving  long  wings,  small  feet,  and  short,  broad,  deeply^ileft  bills 
fatted  for  catchmg  insects.  They  are  highly  insectivorous,  and  are 
therefore  of  great  benefit  to  man. 

The  Barn  Swallow  has  upper  parts  of  darl  blue,  forehead,  throat 
and  upper  breast  chestnut,  lower  breast  and  belly  buff,  and  a  deeply- 
forked  tail  showing  white  markings  when  spread.  It  builds  a  nest 
of  mud  and  grass  lined  with  grasses  and  feathers,  and  fastens  it  on 
the  rafter  or  beam  of  a  bam  or  other  building.  The  eggs  are  white 
with  numerous  brownish  spots.  Bam  swallows  rank  first  among  a 
family  of  birds  famous  for  their  power  of  flight.  In  search  for  in- 
sects they  skim  low  over  the  fields,  turn  quickly  to  right  or  left,  up  or 
down,  and  pursue  their  marvelous  course  with  ease  and  grace.  One 
writer  says:  "There  is  no  evil  blended  with  the  benefits  they  confer 
upon  man.  ^ 

The  Bank  Swallow  has  brownish-gray  upper  parts,  a  white 
throat,  and  a  brownish-gray  band  on  the  breast.  It  builds  a  nest  of 
passes  and  feathers  in  a  hole  in  a  sand  bank  two  or  three  feet  from 
the  entrance.  They  are  generally  known  from  other  swallows  b- 
theu-  small  size,  absence  of  metallic  covering,  and  their  nesting  habits. 

The  Cliff  or  Eaves  Swallow  has  a  whitish  forehead,  steel-blue 
crown  and  back,  chestnut  throat  and  sides  of  head,  brownish-gray 
breast,  and  greenish-brown  tail  feathers  of  nearly  equal  length  Its 
nest  is  of  mud,  pocket-shaped  with  an  opening  at  one  side  above,  and 
fastened  beneath  a  cliff  or  the  eaves  of  a  bam.  The  birds  will  return 
year  after  year  to  their  rows  of  mud  tenements. 

The  Tree  Swallow  has  upper  parts  of  gray-green  or  steel-blue, 
under  parts  of  white,  and  the  tail  slightly  notched.  They  build  nests 
of  grasses  and  feathers  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  or  they  mav  accept 
as  substitutes  for  the  tree  the  bo.xes  erected  by  man. 


89 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


The  Purple  Martin  is  the  best  known  of  the  swallows  and 
occupies  houses  or  boxes  erected  for  its  use,  if  the  English  sparrow 
has  not  already  taken  possession  of  these  before  the  martin  arrives  in 
late  spring.  The  male  is  shining  blue-black,  with  wings  and  tail 
duller.  Martins  not  only  drive  away  hawks  which  are  after  chickens, 
but  they  eat  many  injurious  insects,  beetles  in  particular,  for  which 
they  have  a  great  fondness. 

The  Chimney  Swift  closely  resembles  the  swallows  in  its  habits, 
except  that  it  never  alights  on  the  ground  even  to  obtain  the  materials 
for  its  curiously  constructed  nest  placed  on  the  inside  wall  of  a  chim- 
ney. These  birds  are  smoke-colored;  and  spines  on  the  end  of  each 
tail-feather  enable  them  to  hang  to  the  upright  walls  of  the  soot- 
lined  chimney.  The  nest  is  made  of  twigs  glued  to  each  other  and 
to  the  side  of  the  chimney  by  the  bird's  saliva.  The  three  to  five  white 
eggs  are  long  and  narrow.  Throughout  the  day  numbers  of  swifts 
are  scouring  the  air  for  their  fare  of  insects;  but  as  night  approaches 
they  return  to  the  chimney,  where  there  is  a  continuous  and  not  un- 
musical twittering  day  and  night. 

EVER  HAPPY  BIRDS  OF  THE  EVERGREENS 

The  Kinglets  are  small  birds.  Though  very  small  they  are  ac- 
tive, hardy  little  birds,  and  always  seem  to  be  happy. 

The  Golden-crowned  Kinglet  has  the  center  of  the  crown  bright, 
reddish-orange,  bordered  by  yellow  and  black,  with  upper  parts  olive- 
green  and  undei  parts  whitish.  It  builds  a  very  small,  hanging  nest 
of  mosses,  bark  and  feathers,  high  up  in  a  tree,  and  lays  nine  or  ten 
tiny  eggs.  Its  song  consists  of  a  few  weak  chips  or  chirps  and 
trills. 

The  liuby-crownvd  Kinglet  has  a  partly  concealed  crest  of  bright 
red.  The  kinglets  are  usually  seen  flitting  about  evergreens.  They 
breed  in  Canada  and  mountainous  sections  of  the  United  States,  where 
they  remain  during  mild  winters,  but  during  severe  weather  they 
winter  in  Mexico. 

A  MUSICAL  AND  INDUSTRIOUS  FAMILY 

The  Brown  Thrasher  calls  from  his  lookout:  "Shuck  it,  shuck  it; 
sow  it,  sow  it;  plough  it,  plough  it;  hoe  it,  hoe  it."  His  song  is  a 
bright,  cheerful  carol,  often  long  continued,  but  always  clear  and 
sweet.    Above,  it  is  bright  reddish  brown ;  below,  ^t  is  white  with  black 


OUR     COMMOX    BIRDS  39 

spots,  and  the  length  is  about  one  foot.  He  is  an  inhabitant  of 
shrubbeiy  and  borders  of  woods  where  tie  passes  much  time  on  the 
ground  scratching  among  the  fallen  leaves.  He  is  active,  shy,  and 
suspicious  and  does  not  like  to  be  watched.  The  brown  thrasher  is 
a  finished  musician  with  rich  tones  and  exact  execution.  Morninc 
and  evemng,  mounted  on  the  upper  branches  of  a  tree,  he  pours  forth 
his  song  m  a  way  which  appeals  to  the  heart  and  to  the  mind. 

Wrens  are  of  the  Thrasher  family  but  are  diminutive  in  size. 

The  House  Wren  breeds  in  southern  Canada  and  the  United 
States.    It  is  brownish  above,  with  tail  and  wings  barred;  dull  grav 

«^°'^'ri7*?.°?  *1?^  ^^^^  "^'^^  ^'■°^-     They  are  bold,  sociable,  co.!. 
fadmg  httle  birds,  bmlding  their  nests  in  bird-boxes  erected  for  them 
They  feed  wholly  on  insects  and  are  therefore  beneficial.    The  song  is 
loud  and  clear  and  bubbles  with  enthusiasm. 

The  Winter  Wren  breeds  m  northern  Canada  and  winters  south- 
ward to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  It  is  bright  cinnamon  above,  paler 
beiow,  with  sides,  wings,  and  tail  heavily  barred  with  black.  This 
is  the  shortest  and  most  stoutly  built  of  wrens,  and  looks  very  pert 
with  its  stubby  tail  erect  over  the  back.  They  nest  in  brush  heaps, 
tm  cans,  or  m  hollow  stumps.  The  nest  is  lined  with  feathers,  and 
the  httle  eggs  are  white,  sparingly  speckled  with  reddish-brown. 

COLOR  KEY  7  '  THE  THRUSHES 

Head  and  nape  bright  reddish-brown;  breast  and  sides  with  larire  black  spots 
— Wood  Thruth.  ^ 

Throat  and  breast  spotted;  tail  bright  reddish-brown;  (tail  habitually  slowly 
raised  and  lowered)— //«rmt<  Thruth. 

Whole  upper  parts  a  uniform  reddish-brown;  breast  lightly  spotted— ^t2«on'« 
Thruth  or  Veery. 
Upper  parts  a  uniform  olive. 

IB.     Cheek,  throat  and  breast  washed  with  i&n— Olive-backed  Thruth. 
fB.     Little  or  no  tan  on  cheeks,  throat  or  hTe&st—Gray-vheeked  Thruth. 
SB.     Similar  to  preceding,  but  with  brighter  colors    (always  smaller  than 
preceding)— BiftjKM'»  Thruth. 

BEST  BIRD  MUSICIANS 

The  Thrushes  are  conceded  first  rank  among  song-birds  by  all 
true  lovers  of  music. 

Wilson's  Thrush  or  Veery  has  the  enlle  upper  parts  a  uniform 
reddish-brown.  Below,  it  is  a  dirty  white  with  a  few  faint  marks  on 
the  breast.    It  is  found  in  swamps,  and  in  dry  woods.    The  nest  is 


lA. 
SA. 
SA. 
4A. 


10 


OVR    COMMON    BIRDS 


on  the  ground  and  made  of  strips  of  bark  and  leaves.  The  eggs  are 
greenish-blue.  He  is  shy  and  retiring  and  lives  near  the  ground. 
All  the  wondrous  mysteries  of  the  woods  find  a  voice  in  his  song. 
It  is  a  weird,  ringing  monotone  of  blended  alto  and  soprano  no*2S. 
It  has  neither  break  nor  pause,  nor  does  it  seem  to  come  from  any 
one  place.  In  fact  he  is  a  ventriloquist,  and  has  led  many  a  l>»™- 
lover  a  weary  tramp  in  searching  for  him  on  diflFerent  trees  while  he 
has  not  moved  from  his  perch.  His  song  is  like  the  syllables  "vee-r-r- 
hu"  repeated  eight  or  nine  times  around  a  series  of  intertwining  circles. 

The  Wood  Thrush  is  distinguished  from  other  thrushes  by  its 
larger  size,  its  brighter  cinnamon  color  above,  and  the  numerous 
large,  round,  black  s^uts  on  its  under  parts.  His  song  is  very  clear 
and  flute-like,  containing  many  notes  of  the  scale;  and  as  it  rmgs 
through  the  woods  like  a  hymn  of  praise  it  invites  one  to  yield  to  the 
ennobling  influences  of  Nature. 

The  Hermit  Thrush  has  a  reddish-brown  tail  much  brighter  than 
the  back  and  head,  and  a  breast  quite  heavily  spotted  with  black. 
When  migrating  it  does  not  sing;  but  in  its  summer  home  in  the 
woods,  where  it  finds  seclusion,  it  pours  forth  a  song  which  in  purity 
and  sweetness  of  tone,  and  in  exquisite  modulation,  touches  the  very 
highest  chords  of  bird  music. 

The  Olive-backed  Thrush.  BichnelVs  Thrush,  and  other  species 
are  summer  residents  in  Canada  and  the  United  States,  and  are  quite 
similar  to  those  described. 


'Of  all  the  chapt  who  come  with  spring, 
I  love  dear  Robin  be*t; 
He  it  the  first  to  sing  his  song. 
The  first  the  build  his  nest; 


He  greets  you  too,  as  you  pas*  by. 
With  such  a  note  of  joy, — 
I  do  believe  he  has  a  heart 
Exactly  like  a  boy." 


The  American  Robin,  which  is  abundant  about  farms  and  dwell- 
ings in  all  parts  of  Canada  and  the  United  States,  is  the  best-known 
and  most  beloved  of  all  the  thrushes.  His  loud,  cheery  carol,  "cheerily- 
cheerup,  cheerily-cheerup,"  repeated  many  times,  is  welcomed  in  the 
early  spring,  and  tells  us  that  the  winter  is  past. 

"The  Robin  in  the  cherry  tree 
Is  blithe  as  any  bird  can  be; 
And  bubbling  from  his  silver  throat. 
His  wordless  songs  of  rapture  float — 
O  happy,  happy  May." 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


41 


The  robin  is  about  ten  inches  long,  ir  eh  longer  than  the  little 
Robin  Red-breast  of  Enghind  which  is  not  a  thrush.  The  male  has 
a  black  head,  reddish-brown  breast,  and  drab  upper  parts.  The 
female  has  duller  colors.  The  nest  is  of  coarse  grasses  and  rootlets 
with  an  inner  wall  of  mud  and  lining  of  fine  grasses,  and  may  be  found 
in  shade  trees  or  on  a  veranda  beam.  She  lays  three  to  five  greenish 
blue  eggs  about  one  inch  long.  The  young  are  fed  on  larvae,  chiefly 
cut-worms,  and  in  this  way  robins  do  a  great  work.  It  is  true  they 
may  help  themselves  to  cherries  and  strawberries  from  the  farmer's 
garden;  but  otherwise  they  do  little  damage,  and  none  would  wish 
to  miss  their  cheery  songs. 

The  Southern  Bohin,  found  in  extreme  south-eastern  United 
States,  is  paler  in  color. 

The  Bluebird  is  another  thrush  which  makes  itself  at  home  in 
our  orchards  and  gardens,  and  occupies  the  cozy  bird-house  in  the 
apple  tree.  "The  robin,  the  forenmner  of  the  spring,  the  bluebird 
with  his  jocund  caroling."  Twenty  years  ago  the  bluebird  was  one 
of  the  most  abundant  of  our  summer  residents  but  now  it  is  not  so 
common.  It  may  be  they  go  to  more  northern  unsettled  districts 
where  they  can  still  find  "snake"  fences  and  stumps  in  the  pastures. 
It  is  cobalt-blue  above,  cinnamon-red  below,  with  a  white  belly.  Its 
disposition  is  typical  of  all  that  is  sweet  and  amiable.  The  song  is  a 
continued  sweet  warble,  and  breathes  of  love ;  and  the  sad  notes,  as  he 
passes  southward,  tell  us  more  plainly  than  the  fallen  leaves  that  the 
year  is  dying.     It  winters  in  southern  United  States. 

A  LARGE  FAMILY  OF  SMALL  BIRDS  WITH  NO 
EUROPEAN  RELATIVES 

The  Wood  Warblers  are  found  only  in  America,  and  of  the  one 
hundred  species  known,  about  thirty  visit  as  far  north  as  Canady. 
With  few  exceptions  they  are  inhabitants  of  the  woods,  but  may  he 
found  in  the  trees  of  lawns  and  orchards.  They  are  among  the  last 
of  the  northern  spring  arrivals,  and  the  first  to  leave  in  autumn.  Like 
the  flycatchers,  their  food  is  chiefly  insects.  Some  look  for  these  on 
leaves  or  bark,  while  some  capture  a  large  part  of  their  food  on  tlie 
wing.  All  are  small.  Many  are  among  our  brightest  colored  and  most 
interesting  birds.  None  of  them  are  remarkable  as  songsters.  All 
through  the  summer  they  are  actively  engaged  in  exterminating  the 
hosts  of  our  smaller  insect  enemies,  and  many  thousands  of  broods 


*2 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


of  cateri)illars  are  destroyed  by  them  before  they  are  large  enough  to 
do  mischief. 

The  Yellow  Warbler  or  Summer  Vellowbird  is  the  most  faniiliar 
of  all  because  of  its  canary-like  plumage,  and  because  it  nests  in  the 
trees  and  shrubbei  r  about  the  home.  The  upper  parts  are  bright 
greenish-yellow;  the  under  parts  ure  bright  yellow  streaked  with 
brown.  The  female  is  uniformly  yellowish  olive-green.  Its  nest  of 
fine  grasses  and  fibr^  4  is  lined  with  down.  The  tiny  eggs  are  bluish- 
white,  thickly  marked  with  b.  awn.  Its  bright  colors,  and  its  pleasing 
though  simple  song,  a  happy  "wee-chee,  chee,  chee,  cher-wee,"  add  to 
the  attractions  of  the  rural  home. 

The  Oven-bird  is  one  of  the  commonest  and  the  most  interesting 
of  the  woodland  warblers.  The  crown  is  orange-brown,  bordered  by 
black,  the  upper  parts  olive-green,  and  the  under  parts  white,  with 
the  sides  of  the  throat,  breast  and  sides  streaked  with  black.  Flying 
up  from  the  gro  ind,  he  cautiously  hops  from  branch  to  branch,  walks 
carefully  along  a  limb,  and  then  suddenly  "bursts  forth  into  a  wild 
outpouring  of  intricate  and  melodious  song,"  which  vibrates  through 
the  woods  as  in  rising  tones  it  seems  to  say,  "teacher,  teacher,  teacher, 
teacher."  The  bird  quivers  with  the  violence  of  his  effort  at  son^, 
the  very  force  of  which  carries  him  up  into  the  air  among  the  tive- 
tops. 

COLOR  KEY  TO  WARBLERS 

Group  L — Blue  Conspicuous  in  Plumage 

1.  Cerulean  Warbler — Bright,  light-blue  above;  pure  white  below,  with  a  narrow 
blue  line  across  the  breast;  wing-bars  whit        Not  common  in  Canada. 

9.  Connecticut  Warbler — Head,  throat  and  breast  bluish-gr.iy ;  n  white  eye-ring; 
back  and  tail  olive;  belly  yellow;  note  a  loud  and  ringing  "wee-wichit,  wee- 
wichit,  wee-witch."     Common. 

.?.  Nashville  Warbler — Head  and  neck  blue-gray  above;  back  and  tail  oliTC-yellow : 
under  parts  plain  yellow.     Male  with  a  brown  patch  on  crown.     Common. 

4.  Tennetiee  Warbler — Above  parts  same  as  in  Nashville;  below  parta  grayish- 
white,  and  grayer  on  the  sides.     Common. 

Group  II — Black  Conspicuous  in  Plumage 

1.  Black  and  White-striped  Creeping  Warbler — All  the  body  striped  with  bbck 

and  white.     Common. 

2.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler — Dusky-blue  above,  with  white  triangle  on  the 

side  of  wing;  throat,  breast  and  sides  black.     Common. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 


49 


3.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler — Cheeka  yellow;  throat  bUck  in  oule;  wing- 

bars  white.    Common. 

4.  Bla-k-poll  Warbler — Whole  crown  bUd(,  with  white  patches  below  the  eyes, 

resembling  a  collar;  middle-throat  and  breast  white.     Common. 

5.  Mourning  Warbler — Whole  head  and  nedi  blae-gray;  back  and  tail  olive; 

breast  black;  belly  clear  yellow.    Common. 

Gnoup  III — RsDoisH-Kowif  Conspicuous  in  Plumaoi 
1.    Rad-poU,  or  Palm  Warbler — Crown  red;  throat  yellow,  with  a  line  over  the 

eye;  wags  the  tail.    Common. 
S.     Chettnnt-tided   Warbler — Sides   chestnut,   bordering   the   pore    white   under 

parts;   crown   yellow;   bladt  line   through   eye   and  on  side  of  throat. 

Common. 
8.    Baf-breoited  Warbler — Crown,  throi>t,  and  sides  reddish-brown.    Common. 

Group  IV — Ohangk  Conspicuous  in  Plumaoc 

1.  Redttart — Male  with  orange-red  bars  on  wings,  ramp  and  sides;  in  female 
pale  yellow  replaces  orange.    Very  active.    Common. 

S.  Plaekburnian  Warbler — Throa;:  and  breast  rich  orange;  wings  and  tail  black 
and  white;  male  black  above,  with  large  white  patch  on  wings.    Common. 

8.  Prothonotarg  Warbler — Clear,  onstriped,  light  orange-yellow  all  over  except 
wings  and  tail  are  blue-gray.     Not  common  in  Canada. 

4.  Oven-bird — Crown  orange-brown,  boardered  by  black;  under  parts  light  with 
lines  of  orange  spots.  Its  song  is  "teacher,  teacher,  teacher,  teacher,"  gath- 
ering strengUi  with  each  syllable.     Not  common  in  Canada. 

Group  V — Yellow  Conspicuous  in  Plumaob 

1.  Yellov  Warbler — Summer   Yellowbird — Yellow  all  over,  with  reddish-brown 

stripes  on  breast.    Common  summer  resident  in  Canada. 

2.  Myrtle  Warbler — Patch  of  yellow  on  rump,  crown,  and  on  each  side  of  breast. 

First  warbler  to  migrate  to  northern  regions  in  the  spring  and  the  last  to 
leave  in  the  autumn.     Common. 
8.    Magnolia   Warbler — Crown  blue;  rump  yellow;  yellow  below,  dashed   with 
black.     Male  with  black  ear-patch,  back,  and  necklace.     Common. 

4.  Canadian  Warbler — Dark-gray  above;  yellow  below,  with  a  band  of  black 

dashes  across  the  breast.     Common. 

5.  Wilton' t  Warbler — Yellow  below;  olive  above;  crown  black.    Common. 

6.  YeUow-breatted  Chat — Throat  and  breast  clear  lemon-yellow;  belly  white; 

olivc-gr^y  above.     The  largest  of  the  warblers.     Occasional  as  far  north 
as  Canada. 

7.  Cupt  May  Warbler — Yellow  below,  with  many  black  dashes  all  over;  brown 

or  olive-brown  above;  a  bright  yellow  collar;  ears  buff.     Not  common  in 
Canada. 

8.  NatkviUe  Warbler — Plain  yellow  below;  back  and  tail  olive-yellow;  hsnd  and 

neck  blue-gray — Common. 


10. 


n. 


18. 


OUR    COMMON    BIRDS 

Palm  WarbUr— Redpoll— Wagtail— Thtott  and  •  liiw  orer  the  eye  yellow : 
crown  red ;  conUnually  wags  the  Uil.     Common. 

Marglamd  Yello^throat-haik  olive;  throat  yellow;  broad  black  band  acron* 

forehead  and  down  through  the  eye«  to  the  aides  of  the  throat.     Common. 
Panla  n^arMer— Upper-throat  yellow;  lead-colored  bar  across  lower  throat; 

upper   breast  brownish-yellow;   lower  breast  clear  yellow;   belly   white; 

lead-blut  above,  with  olive  patch  on  back.     Common. 
Pine  IFar6/er— Greenish-yellow  abov  .  and  brighter    flow;  outer  tail-feathers 

and  two  wing-bars  white.     Not  common. 

"There  is  a  pleasure  in  the  pathle»»  wood*. 
There  it  a  rapture  on  the  lonely  »hore, 
There  is  society  where  none  intrudes. 
By  the  deep  sea,  and  music  in  its  roar; 
I  love  not  man  the  less  but  nature  more 
From  these  our  interviews  in  which  I  steal 
From  what  I  may  be  or  have  been  before. 
To  look  upon  the  universe  and  feel 
What  I  can  ne'er  express  but  cannot  all  conceal/' 


